Pork Chop Barley Casserole

chia's Note:

For rsc 10, this is a lovely main dish incorporating contest ingredients, and is perfect for autumn. I used Granny Smith apples for their tartness, but you can use Gala, Jonathan, or any other cooking apples.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 4 boneless pork chops
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon fresh sage
• salt and pepper
• 1 -2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 red onion , chopped
• ½ cup red pepper , chopped
• 1 jalapeno , seeded and chopped
• 2 garlic cloves , chopped
• 1 granny smith apple , peeled, cored, and chopped
• 1 granny smith apple , peeled, cored, sliced
• 1 cup barley
• 2 ½ cups chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons butter , melted
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375f.
2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in skillet.
3. Season pork with salt, pepper, sage and thyme, brown on both sides 4 mins per side, remove.
4. Add extra olive oil if needed.
5. Sauté onion, garlic, peppers until softened.
6. Add barley and coat, stir in stock and bring to a boil.
7. Lower heat and simmer, covered for 15 minutes.
8. Stir in chopped apple.
9. Put barley mixture into a casserole pan.
10. Top with pork chops and bake, covered for 40 minutes.
11. Mix butter, maple syrup, cinnamon and brown sugar in a small dish.
12. Uncover casserole, add pork and apple slices, and brush with maple sugar mixture.
13. Cook an additional 10-15 minutes.
14. Let it stand a few minutes, and serve.

Reviews

[Saturn]

This was GREAT! That being said, I did not put the apples and the sweet glaze on top. Instead, I cooked it in a loaf pan beside the casserole. I knew it would not be to our taste on top. My son and I LOVED it for dessert though! The barley mixture cooked up perfectly. This is a nice change from the usual. Thanks for sharing!