“Can you do this again?” That’s what my husband said on finishing this dinner last Sunday night. So I quickly went to work to write all this down so I would remember how to make these Dijon Pork Chops with Herbs and Grapes again! I got this idea from a veal chop recipe I had made years ago.
And once again, I get inspired by what’s in my refrigerator and what needs to be used up and how fast can I get something on the table – not really too exciting and all out of necessity. I was making our breakfast fruit salad that I usually make for the week, before making dinner on last Sunday night, and had too many grapes. We had just picked up these beautiful heritage breed pork chops from Second Chance Farm on our way home that night. They have wonderful beef, pork and chickens and sell at the Milan Farmers Market on Fridays, and had invited us to their farm to pick up some fresh chickens. Kim and Charlie are wonderful folks who run a very clean and neat farm in Milan, NY. It was so nice to see their whole operation. All of the animals are happy campers – their pigs love to be petted! Here’s what I did, which was simple, quick, delicious and a little different! This is a riff on the combo of savory and sweet – which I LOVE. I hope you will too!
DIJON PORK CHOPS WITH HERBS AND GRAPES – serves 2
1.5 tsp unsalted butter
1.5 tsp olive oil 1 medium onion, sliced 1/4” thick
2 heritage breed pork chops, 3/4” thick
Salt
Fresh ground pepper
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
3 tbs. chopped fresh herbs – oregano, rosemary and thyme
3/4 cup dry white wine, divided – I used Sauvignon Blanc
3/4 cup seedless red grapes
In a skillet, melt butter in olive oil on low heat. Add onions and cover to sweat and soften for about 20 minutes.
Wash and dry pork chops. Salt and pepper and smear one side with 1 tsp. Dijon mustard on each chop. Toss together the mixed herbs, take half of them and divide into two equal portions and sprinkle on each chop. Press them down into the mustard.
Push onions to the side in the skillet, raise heat to medium high. Add the chops, mustard and herb side down. While they are browning, salt and pepper the top sides of the chops. Turn the chops after 3 minutes and pile the onions on top of the chops. Sprinkle remaining herbs overall. Saute 1 minute to brown the bottom of the chops. Add 1/2 of the wine and all of the grapes and cook for one more minute or so, until chops reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees. (they will cook more while resting) Remove the chops to a platter. Leave the grapes in the skillet and add the rest of the wine and simmer rapidly for 1 -2 minutes, stirring constantly. When sauce has thickened a bit and reduced, and the grapes are softened, remove from heat and pour sauce and grapes over the chops. Make sure the chops have rested for a total time of 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Looks delicious!
Thanks Rosemary!!
Wow Mary Frances that looks delicious. I love the wine/grape sauce.
apuginthekitchen recently posted…Summer Vegetable Cous Cous With Feta And Pine Nuts For Fiesta Friday #26
Thanks Suzanne!! You know I didn’t even think about the grapes being the basis for the wine when making this – duh!!
Fabulous! What a great recipe. I love how you developed the dish. Will definitely try this with heritage pork chops in the freezer, especially now that I can buy good tasting grapes.
Jovina Coughlin recently posted…Italian Treasures – Cinque Terre
Hi Jovina – I hope you’ve tried this and liked it! Do let me know if it turned out well for you.
This looks fantastic Mary! What a great idea to cook the grapes and I love the use of fresh herbs.
Thanks Seana – it was delish!
I hope my husband brings home a humungous bunch of grapes, because I want to steal more than a few to try this recipe. I also think I just learned how to make tender pork chops. No matter how I try they are always tough. Thanks Mary!!
The key is to not cook the pork chops too long (only to 145 degrees) and remember that they will continue cooking when you remove them from the skillet, while they’re resting.
I love the sound of this. You always know you’ve struck gold when your husband immediately asks for a repeat order! Great sounding flavour combination…
The Healthy Epicurean recently posted…Sea bass in oatmeal with courgette and anchovy purée
Totally!! Thank you!
What a great use for grapes! These chops certainly look full of flavour and are beautifully presented. I’m not surprised your husband would like you to prepare these over and over again. I’ll pin this so I can make them too! xx
Hotly Spiced recently posted…Airport Hijinks
Thanks Charlie!! Do let me know how you like them!
Mary, I love this take on sweet meets savoury – looks so flavourful and incredibly juicy! I’m not a huge fan of pork, but I know for sure that I’d enjoy this dish!
Margot | Gather and Graze recently posted…Fatteh Bil Lahme (Lamb Shanks with Chickpeas and Yoghurt)
Thanks Margot!!
I have never used grapes in a savory dish – but looking at this recipe I wonder why: it makes soooo much sense. And what a beautiful contrast / compliment with the mustard 🙂
Yep – it all worked, Afra!
Way to go Mary Frances! This is great take on Pork Chops with Dijon mustard. I would pair this with a Syrah from Santa Barbara, where the expressions of this noble grape are a bit more reserved. Ojai and Melville would be good sources. Enjoy!!!
Ringo recently posted…Godfather “Gravy”
What a wonderful pairing!! I love Syrahs!!
That looks delightful!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted…Foods Australia Brought to the World
Thanks Maureen!!
They look very juicy and tender!
Angie (@angiesrecipess) recently posted…Raspberry Vinaigrette with Homemade Raspberry Vinegar
They really were, Angie!
Hi Mary Frances, love how you treated the pork chops here, very nice recipe. It’s not often I get a” can you make this again right away” from my husband. So if your husband thought that maybe mine will. Thanks!
cheri recently posted…Garden To Grill – Salted Fava Beans
Thanks Cheri!! Do let me know how you and he like it!
I’ve been really enjoying grapes prepared in a savory way and these are the next dish to try them with!
The Squishy Monster recently posted…Weekend Bits
Great Angela!! Please let me know how you like it!
Herbs and grapes together with pork? That is a crazy cool combination in a dish 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted…CCU Undercover: IPPUDO Sydney
LOL – yes it is!
I love the addition of grapes, the sweet taste of the fruit will give it a really nice balance of flavours.
Raymund recently posted…Gisadong Sayote
Definitely – that is what happened!
I would never have thought to combine grapes with pork, but is sounds delicious and perfect and I am going to give it a go – thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Tandy | Lavender and Lime recently posted…Recipe For Lavender Surprise Cake
Great Tandy!! Please let me know how you like it!
Really nice dish, love dijon on pork and a great pairing with grapes for a sweet touch that matches.
Yes!! It worked!
What a fun recipe! Glad you wrote it down so we can all share it. 😉 I have a bad habit of making up dishes and never writing the recipe down, too, so it becomes difficult to recreate it. Anyway, very nice — thanks.
John@Kitchen Riffs recently posted…The Rum Daisy Cocktail
I know – I’ve been there too John. Taking pics along the way helps you to recall ingredients.
This looks sooooo good! I love the idea of the Dijon mustard and grapes – on pork chops no less! Extra yummo!
Thanks Kristi!!
This looks amazing! I’m always looking at food blogs instead of making myself dinner.I’m getting super hungry now!
ATasteOfMadness recently posted…Apple Cheesecake Cookie Bars
Well now it’s time to get cooking!!
How clever to make dijon port with technically grape sauce. 😉
Fae’s Twist & Tango recently posted…Fresh Herb Kuku • KuKu Sabzi • کوکوسبزی
Right!! Wine is technically a grape sauce and as I was telling Suzanne, I didn’t even think of that when I was putting this together!
I am liking the addition of grapes!! Such a beautiful dinner!
Ami@NaiveCookCooks recently posted…PopCorn Vanilla Pudding
Thanks Ami!! The grapes do add a lot of visual appeal!
Your sauteed grapes with pork looks absolutely heavenly, Mary Frances! Love savory grapes 🙂
Judit + Corina | Glamorous Bite recently posted…Welcome to Glamorous Bite with a Free eCookbook
Yes – it was delicious!!
This looks wonderful! What a unique combination with the grapes!
Christina recently posted…Torta di Ricotta al Limoncello (Italian-Style Limoncello Cheesecake)
Thanks Christina!!
I love pork with fruity sauces & this just looks really good – definitely going on the “to-try” list!
Donalyn@TheCreeksideCook recently posted…Cucumber and Avocado Salad with Feta
Thanks Donalyn – please let me know how it works out for you!
Your chops look terrific (and what a nice endorsement from your hubby!). I love pairing pork with fruit…I know I’d love these 🙂
Yes Liz – lots of different fruits go well with pork – dates, prunes, apricots – all good! But the grapes were also so juicy!
This surely looks delicious. . Love the pork and dijon combination. .. and the grapes on the side looks amazing.. 🙂
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong recently posted…Prawns and Asparagus in Creamy Coconut Curry
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This looks insane! I love the use of the grapes and wine and the crust coating of mustard is always a favorite of mine to do with just about anything! No wonder your husband wanted it again!
Kitchen Belleicious recently posted…Triple Layered Cake Pop with Lemon Curd Filling
Thanks!! 🙂
Your recipe looks perfect and so quick…I too like to use up what is in the fridge. Thank you for the lovely ideas once again.
tableofcolors recently posted…Vanha Pappila
It was quick – perfect for a weeknight when you come home starving!
It’s so unusual to find recipes which use grapes as a cooking ingredient, and I have no idea why.
As a result though, I rarely use them myself, so inspiring to see them in this recipe.
Will make an effort not to malign the grape so much in the future!
Good idea Rachel – grapes are a great ingredient!!!