Hearty American Maple-Glazed Pork Chops with Sweet Potato Gratin

Ingredients

• 4 pieces pork chops, bone-in
• 1 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
• 1 teaspoon salt

Method

1. 01
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. 02
   In a small saucepan, combine maple syrup, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and black pepper. Heat over medium heat until well combined and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
3. 03
   Season pork chops with salt and place them in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until browned.
4. 04
   Brush the maple glaze over the seared pork chops and transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145°F (63°C).
5. 05
   While the pork chops are baking, prepare the sweet potato gratin. In a large mixing bowl, combine sliced sweet potatoes, heavy cream, Gruyère cheese, thyme, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.
6. 06
   Layer the sweet potato mixture in a greased baking dish, ensuring an even distribution of cheese and cream.
7. 07
   Cover with foil and bake in the oven alongside the pork chops for 40-45 minutes, removing the foil for the last 10 minutes to allow the top to brown.
8. 08
   Remove both the pork chops and sweet potato gratin from the oven. Let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving.
9. 09
   Serve the tender maple-glazed pork chops with a generous portion of creamy sweet potato gratin.