Pork Chops with Cherries and Omen Cabernet
Rehydrating dried cherries in hot water turns them plump and juicy—exactly what you want scattered throughout a rosemary-scented pan sauce for thick-cut pork chops. Don’t be tempted to go for boneless chops; a dish this simple and flavorful calls for a heavy-hitting bone-in situation.
Ingredients:
• 1 Cup pitted fresh cherries OR ⅓ cup dried tart cherries (I used fresh cherries)
• 2 1"–1¼"-thick bone-in pork chops (10–12 oz. each)
• Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
• 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• large shallot, thinly sliced or 1/2 small Red Onion (I used red onion)
• 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 2 sprigs rosemary
Directions:
Step 1: If using dried Cherries, combine ⅓ cup dried tart cherries and ½ cup hot water in a small bowl. Let sit to rehydrate while you cook the pork. If using fresh cherries pit and slice in 1/2.
Step 2: Pat two 1"–1¼"-thick bone-in pork chops (10–12 oz. each) dry with paper towels. Season generously on both sides with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Sprinkle 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour evenly over both sides of each chop; press in gently to coat lightly.
Step 3: Heat 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Shake off any excess flour and cook pork chops until deep golden brown underneath, about 5 minutes. Turn and cook until deep golden brown on other side and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 135°, about 2 minutes, depending on thickness of chops. Transfer to a plate. Let pan cool slightly.
Step 4: Combine 1 large shallot or 1/2 a red onion, thinly sliced, and 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter in same pan and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until shallot is softened, about 2 minutes. Add 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard, 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar, and reserved cherries with their liquid. Cook, stirring constantly, until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Add 2 sprigs rosemary and cook, stirring often, until sauce thickens further and is homogeneous, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add remaining 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, and vigorously stir to combine. Taste sauce and season with salt and pepper.
Step 5: To serve, nestle pork chops back into sauce in pan and spoon some sauce over.
Paired with Omen Paso Robles Cabernet
Adapted from Bon Appetit Nov 2025