Pork Chops With Barley Pilaf and Onion Gravy

entry in RSC #10.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 20 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 4 -6  pork chops
• 1  teaspoon salt

• Barley Pilaf

• 2 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth
• 2  cups  uncooked pearl barley (not the quick-cooking type)
• 3  jalapeno peppers, finely minced
• 2  large carrots, chopped into 3/8 pieces
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons dried basil (or 1 1/2 Tablespoons fresh, minced)
• 1  cup red onion, chopped
• 2  stalks celery, chopped into 1/4 pieces
• 1  cup  toasted pecan pieces
• 1  large apple, peeled, cored and chopped into 3/8 pieces
•  salt & freshly ground black pepper

• Gravy

• 2  tablespoons butter
• 3  cups  thinly sliced onions
• 2  tablespoons maple syrup
• 1  tablespoon brown sugar
• 2  tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1  cup  chicken stock
•  salt & freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Season pork chops with salt. Heat a large pot over high heat. Brown the pork chops on each side and set aside, reserving drippings and the pan for the gravy.
3. In a separate pot, bring the chicken broth, barley, peppers and carrots to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in onion, pecans and apple, along with salt and pepper to taste. Spread evenly into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange the pork chops over the barley mix.
4. Cover and bake 1 ½ hours until the barley is tender and the pork has reached an internal temperature of 155 degrees F. (Thickness of pork chops and actual oven temperatures vary.).
5. 50 minutes later, heat the pan used to sear the pork chops over medium heat, add the butter and ¼ cup of the chicken stock.
6. When boiling, scrape any brown remains from the bottom of the pan. Add the onions, syrup and sugar to the pan, stirring occasionally until onions are soft and caramelized, about 15 minutes.
7. Add the flour to the pan and stir constantly for 2 minutes. Add the remaining chicken stock; bring to a boil while stirring. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm until the pork chops and barley is done.
8. Serve pork chops with gravy over the top and the barley on the side.