(Family Features) The elegance of the holidays starts at the table with meals, desserts and drinks shared among loved ones. This year, let grapes add easy elegance to seasonal recipes as a signature ingredient perfect for special occasions.
As a highly versatile addition to appetizers, snacks, main courses, sides and desserts, grapes are an essential ingredient to keep on hand. Thanks to their delicate sweetness and juicy texture, Grapes from California can be the star at the center of the meal in unique and tasty Braised Pork Chops with Spiced Honey and Grapes served with Spiked Grape Cider for a cozy adult beverage.
Find more sweet ideas to celebrate the holidays at GrapesfromCalifornia.com.
Braised Pork Chops with Spiced Honey and Grapes
Servings: 4
4 thick pork chops (about 3 pounds)
4 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1 1/2 cups whole red or black Grapes from California
1/3 cup honey
2 small cinnamon sticks, broken
3-5 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon dried ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint (optional)
Preheat oven to 325 F.
Heat heavy, lidded saute pan or casserole dish over medium-high heat. Dust pork chops with flour and brown slowly in melted butter. Do not let flour burn.
Remove pan from heat and add grapes, honey, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, salt and pepper. Cover and place in oven. Braise slowly 50-60 minutes, or until pork is tender. Remove pork from pan and keep warm. Skim pan sauce of excess fat. Arrange pork chops on serving platter, spoon with sauce and sprinkle with chopped mint, if desired.
Nutritional information per serving: 569 calories; 54 g protein; 41 g carbohydrates; 21 g fat (33% calories from fat); 9 g saturated fat (14% calories from saturated fat); 33% calories from fat; 165 mg cholesterol; 407 mg sodium; 1.6 g fiber.
Source: California Table Grape Commission
