Maple-Glazed Pork Chops With Pecans and Apples

From Southern Living.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  cup maple syrup
• 4  teaspoons  balsamic vinegar
• 4  teaspoons brown sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3⁄4 cup pecan halves, toasted
• 4  pork chops (1-inch-thick)
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 2  tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2  green apples, cut into (3/4-inch)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 cup  finely diced crystallized ginger (optional)

Directions

1. Whisk together first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl.
2. Stir together pecans and 2 tablespoons maple syrup mixture in a skillet over medium heat, stirring to coat pecans. Cook, stirring often, 3 minutes or until pecans are glazed. Arrange pecans in an even layer on wax paper; let cool. Coarsely chop, and set aside.
3. Sprinkle pork chops evenly with 3/4 teaspoon salt and pepper; brush with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
4. Grill chops, covered with grill lid, over medium-high heat (350°to 400°) 8 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 160°, basting with 1/2 cup maple syrup mixture during last five minutes of cooking. (If glazed earlier, glaze will burn.) Transfer to serving platter. Cover and keep warm.
5. Sprinkle apple slices evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt; brush with remaining 1 tablespoon oil.
6. Grill apples, without grill lid, over medium-high heat (350° to 400°) 4 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally and brushing with 1/4 cup syrup mixture.
7. Spoon remaining maple syrup mixture over pork chops. Sprinkle with chopped pecans and, if desired, crystallized ginger. Serve with grilled apples.