Basil-Plum Pork Chops

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 4 pcs Pork chops
• 2 pcs Shallot
• 5 pcs Plum
• 1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp Light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 120 ml Basil, fresh
• 1 pinch Black pepper, ground

Method

1. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 400°F.
2. Heat the oil in a large cast iron skillet or oven-safe frying pan over medium-high heat until very hot and almost smoking. Meanwhile, pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Generously season all over with salt and pepper. Add the pork to the pan and sear undisturbed until golden-brown on the bottom, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a large plate.
3. Reduce the heat to medium, add the shallot, season with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Add the plums, vinegar, tamari or soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon brown sugar and stir to combine. Place the pork chops browned-side up over the plums and add any juices accumulated on the plate.
4. Roast until the pork registers 145°F on an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of each chop, 6 to 10 minutes depending on the thickness of the chops. Transfer the pork chops to serving plates. Add the butter to the pan and stir until fully melted. Taste the sauce and season with more sugar and salt as needed. Sprinkle with the basil and serve the plum sauce over the pork chops.