Ginger Ale Pork Chops

from "The New Basics Cookbook" by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins

When just a little ginger won't do…The sweetness of raisins and cream mellow the lively flavor.

4 portions

Ingredients

4 loin pork chops, about 1 inch thick

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

3/4 cup ginger ale

1/4 cup minced fresh ginger

1/4 cup slivered crystallized ginger

1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

1/4 cup golden raisins

1/2 cup heavy or whipping cream

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Sprinkle the pork chops all over with the ground ginger.

3. Melt the butter in a large skillet, and brown the pork chops over medium-high heat, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer the chops to a flameproof baking dish.

4. Add the ginger ale, fresh ginger, and crystallized ginger to the skillet, and cook over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Pour this over the chops, transfer to the oven, and bake for 30 minutes.

5. Sprinkle the walnuts and raisins over the chops, and bake an additional 15 minutes.

6. Transfer the chops to a serving platter and keep warm. Add the cream to the baking pan and place it over high heat. Cook, scraping up the brown bits, until the sauce is slightly reduced and thickened, about 2 minutes. Pour the sauce over the chops, and serve immediately.