APPLE-STUFFED PORK CHOPS WITH CIDER SAUCE Recipe

Ingredients

• FOR THE STUFFING:
• 4 SLICES PUMPERNICKEL OR DARK RYE SANDWICH BREAD, CRUSTS REMOVED AND CUT INTO SMALL DICE
• 2 TBSP UNSALTED BUTTER
• 2 GRANNY SMITH APPLES, PEELED, CORED, AND CUT INTO 1/2 INCH DICE
• 1 TBSP EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
• 1/2 MEDIUM ONION, SMALL DICE RESERVE OTHER HALF FOR THE SAUCE
• 10 DRIED APPLE RINGS, CUT INTO 1/4 INCH PIECES
• 1 TBSP THINLY SLICED SAGE LEAVES, PLUS 2 WHOLE SPRIGS FOR THE SAUCE
• 1/4 CUP UNFILTERED APPLE CIDER OR UNFILTERED, UNSWEETENED APPLE JUICE
• FOR CHOPS:
• 8 BONE IN CENTER CUT PORK CHOPS, AT LEAST 1 1/2 INCHES THICK
• 4 TBSP EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
• 3 TBSP UNSALTED BUTTER
• 1/2 MEDIUM ONION, SMALL DICE
• 1 CELERY STALK, COARSELY CHOPPED
• 1 SMALL CARROT, PEELED AND COARSELY CHOPPED
• 2 TBSP APPLE BRANDY OPTIONAL
• 2 CUPS UNFILTERED APPLE CIDER OR UNFILTERED, UNSWEETENED APPLE JUICE
• 2 1/2 CUPS LOW-SODIUM CHICKEN BROTH
• "3 TBSP CREME FRAICHE"