Reply #13: Pork chops in maple syrup

[wryter2000]

You can't get much more Yankee than maple syrup.

2 thick, boneless loin pork chops
salted water for brining (at the ratio of 3/8 c kosher salt to a quart of water -- brining can be skipped)
vegetable oil
1/3 c real maple syrup
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground mace

Brine chops in salted water for a couple of hours (if desired, not really necessary). Dry well with paper towels.

In an oven proof skillet, heat a bit of vegetable oil. Add chops and sear/brown on both sides. Remove chops from skillet. And syrup and spices until just aromatic. Put chops back in skillet, and turn to coat them. Put the whole thing in a 350 oven for 20 minutes. If syrup has cooked down too much, thin with some apple juice or water.

It seems to me that a cored and sliced apple such as a pippin or Granny Smith would do well baked with the chops, but I haven't tried that yet.