Pork Chops With Soy-Orange Sauce

Originally from Cooks.com, I don't usually like "sweet meat" sauces, but this is a regular in our household!

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup  fresh orange juice
• 2  tablespoons soy sauce
• 1  teaspoon sugar
• 1  garlic clove, peeled and crushed
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8  sprigs fresh thyme
• 2  tablespoons butter
• 2  tablespoons  safflower oil (I usually use vegetable or canola)
• 8  pork chops, 1/2 inch thick

Directions

1. Combine orange juice with soy sauce, sugar, garlic, pepper, and thyme in a 1 gallon zipper bag. Set aside.
2. With a very sharp knife, score the pork chops 1/8 inch deep in a criss-cross pattern on each side. Add to marinade bag, seal, and let sit at least 30 minutes.
3. Remove pork chops and retain marinade.
4. Heat the butter and oil in a large heavy skillet until hot. Add the chops in a single layer and saute over high heat for 3 minutes on each side, browning them well. (You may need to do these in batches, or in two skillets. I usually do this using the grill method below.).
5. Reduce heat to low and poir reserved marinade over the chops. Cook until done, about 8-10 minutes longer. Remove chops to a heated platter. Reduce the marinade in the skillet to 1/3 cup. Pour over the cooked chops and serve immediately.
6. GRILL METHOD: Also excellent grilled! Reduce the marinade separateley in a saucepan, then pour over the chops after removing from grill.