Ingredients:
- 4 (approx. 6 oz / 170g each) Boneless Pork Chops (approx. 1 inch / 2.5 cm thick)
- 1 tsp Fine Sea Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper, freshly ground
- ¼ cup All-Purpose Flour (for dredging)
- 2 Tbsp Neutral Oil (e.g., Rapeseed/Canola or Vegetable Oil)
- 2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 1 lb Mixed Mushrooms (Cremini/Button), wiped clean and sliced
- 1 medium Yellow Onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp All-Purpose Flour (for thickening the sauce)
- 1 cup Low-Sodium Chicken or Vegetable Stock
- ½ cup Dry White Wine or Dry Sherry (Optional)
- 2 tsp Fresh Thyme Leaves, stripped from the stem
- 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
- ½ cup Heavy Cream (Double Cream, 35% fat minimum)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 2 Tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pork: Pat the chops bone-dry with kitchen paper. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Dredge: Lightly dust the chops on both sides with the ¼ cup of flour, shaking off any excess.
- Sear: Heat the oil in the heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear the chops for 2–3 minutes per side until deeply golden brown and a good crust has formed. Do not cook through.
- Reserve: Remove the chops immediately and set them aside on a plate. Reduce the heat to medium.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the butter to the same pan. Once melted, add the sliced mushrooms and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms have released their moisture and turned golden brown (about 6–8 minutes).
- Add Onion and Garlic: Push the mushrooms to the side and add the diced onion. Cook for 3 minutes until softened, then stir in the minced garlic and thyme for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Deglaze and Thicken: Sprinkle the remaining 1 Tbsp of flour over the mushroom mixture and stir well for 1 minute. Pour in the white wine/sherry, scraping vigorously to lift all the browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the pan. Cook until the wine is almost evaporated.
- Simmer: Whisk in the chicken stock and Dijon mustard. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring until the sauce slightly thickens (about 2 minutes).
- Add Cream: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream. Taste the sauce and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
- Smother: Gently return the seared pork chops and any accumulated juices to the pan, nestling them into the mushroom sauce.
- Braise: Cover the pan partially and simmer gently on low heat for 10–15 minutes, or until the pork chops are tender and reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- Rest and Serve: Remove from heat and let the chops rest in the sauce for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.