1tablespooneach fresh thyme leaves and chopped fresh sage
sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
Instructions
Submerge the beans in cold water in a container and keep them overnight.
In a bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, vinegar, 2/3 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon thyme leaves, sage leaves, salt, and pepper (2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper) to a bowl and whisk to combine.
Add the pork chops and submerge in a bowl or transfer to a plastic bag and marinate overnight in the refrigerator or for 12 to 48 hours.
Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large rondeau over medium-high heat, place in the sausage, and cook while frequently stirring until it is cooked throughout, which takes about 6 to 8 minutes.
Remove the pork sausage, add the onions, and cook while frequently stirring in the rendered pork sausage fat for 5 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low medium and cook for 10 minutes or until it becomes golden brown and tender.
Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, which takes about 30 to 45 seconds.
Add in the beans and chicken stock, bring it to a boil, and then cover and cook over medium-low heat for 45 to 60 minutes or until the beans are tender.
Finish with cooked sausage, celery, carrots, herbs, salt, and pepper, and cook over low heat for 10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Keep warm.
To cook the pork, pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
Once it begins to smoke lightly, add the pork chops and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. They should be well-browned. If they’re not, consider moving each one around the pan slightly to help brown any needed areas.
Flip the pork over and turn the heat to medium-low, closer to the lower side. Add in the butter and baste the pork using a large spoon and continue to do so until each chop reads 135° internally. This takes about 8-10 minutes total.
Set the pork on a rack over a sheet tray and rest for 5 to 7 minutes before serving over a bed of cooked beans.
Notes
Make-Ahead: These are meant to be eaten as soon as they’re done resting.How to Store: It will last about 4 days covered in plastic and stored in the refrigerator. It will definitely freeze covered in plastic for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator for 1 day before reheating.How to Reheat: Add the pork chops and beans to a skillet, cover with foil, and bake in the oven at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until hot.You will lose some moisture and tenderness in the pork chops when reheating.If you are in a hurry, you can cover the dry beans with boiling water and let them sit for 1 hour before using them. A half cup of dried black beans is equal to 1 15-ounce can.The biggest reason pork chops are tough is due to overcooking.There will be some beans left over. If you find that it is too much, then try using it as a base in my Zuppa Toscana recipe.