Easy Pork Chop Saute with Cranberries

Cranberries can be momentary pleasures, just around for late autumn - that is, unless you think to stock ahead. Buy a packet or two for the freezer so you can make this quick supper all year long. (Or out of season; look for frozen whole cranberries in the freezer case of your local market.)

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Servings: 4

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt , divided
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper , divided
• 4  boneless pork loin chops, (1-1 1/4 pounds), trimmed of fat
• 2/3 cup cranberry juice cocktail , or orange juice
• 2 1/2-3 tablespoons clover or other mild honey 
• 2 teaspoons canola oil 
• 1/4 cup chopped onion 
• 1 cup cranberries , fresh or frozen, thawed, coarsely chopped

Preparations:

1. Mix thyme and 1/8 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle both sides of pork chops with the thyme mixture.
2. Stir cranberry juice and 2 1/2 tablespoons honey in a 1-cup glass measure until well blended.
3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the chops and cook until browned on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Push the chops to one side of the pan, add onion to the empty half and cook, stirring, until the onion is soft and beginning to brown, 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Pour half the juice mixture into the pan. Add cranberries. Reduce heat to medium and cook, turning the chops occasionally, until cooked through, 2 to 4 minutes.
5. Transfer the chops to a serving plate and tent with foil to keep warm. Add the remaining juice mixture to the pan. Increase heat to high and cook until the mixtures reduces to form a syrupy sauce, about 2 minutes.
6. Season with the remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper and up to an additional 1/2 tablespoon honey to taste. Spoon the sauce over the chops.

Nutrition:
Per serving Calories: 277; Carbohydrates: 21g; Fat: 10g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 4g; Protein: 27g; Cholesterol: 83mg; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sodium: 203mg.

Tips & Notes:
To make quick work of chopping cranberries, place whole berries in a food processor and pulse a few times until the berries are coarsely chopped.