On the sixth day of Christmas…

This one is bittersweet as it is the final batch of cider from Distillery Lane Ciderworks, provided through our milk delivery service from October through December. It’s the only juice we regularly drink, and the toddler is quite infatuated with his “appy cidey.” This version is for the grown-ups only, though of course you can simply omit the rum for your little ones!

Recipe: Gingered Apple Cider

Ingredients:

• 1 quart fresh apple cider
• 1/2 cup ginger simple syrup (or a peeled chunk of fresh ginger)
• 2 clementines, zest and juice
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• Rum

Instructions: Combine ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and pour into mugs. Add rum if desired, and enjoy!

To me, nothing says fall quite like pork chops with fresh picked apples. I’m not sure where the association comes from, since I can only remember my mother making pork chops with peaches. Nevertheless, when the leaves are falling and the temperatures finally take their sudden plunge (seasons never change gradually here in DC!), you can bet pork chops will be found in my cast iron skillet. This variation prompted my sometimes meat-adverse toddler to shout, “More meat please!”, much to his father’s delight. The caramelized garlic and apples and sweet sauce are a perfect counter to peppery pork, and sure to warm you up after a cold day.

Recipe: Pork Chops with Apples and Maple-Rum Reduction

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in pork chops
• salt and pepper
• 8 garlic cloves, skins on and smashed with side of knife blade
• 1 apple, thinly sliced
• 1/4 maple syrup
• 1/8 c golden rum (or apple cider for an alcohol-free version)

Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Generously salt and pepper pork chops. Heat skillet over medium high heat and sear pork chops about 2 1/2 minutes per side, until golden brown. Add garlic cloves and apple slices to pan, pour maple syrup over the top and cook in the oven 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and remove pork chops, apples and garlic from pan, covering to keep them warm. Place pan on stove over medium heat and add rum. Cook until sauce reduces at least by half and begins to thicken. Remove from heat. Arrange pork chops, apples and garlic on plates and drizzle with the sauce. Makes 4 servings. Enjoy!