Pork chops with parsnips and maple pear wedges

Ingredients

• 4 lean pork chops (trimmed of all excess fat)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
• 2 tbsp fresh sage (chopped)
• 1/2 tsp fennel seeds (roughly crushed)
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 red onions (quartered)
• 4 potatoes ((about 500 grams/1 lb in total), peeled and quartered)
• 2 large parsnips (peeled and quartered lengthwise)
• 1 large pear (ripe but firm)
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• a few sprigs fresh sage ((optional))