This was a creation I came up with to accompany smoked pork chops. I use a slightly spicy rub on the chops, so I wanted something with a nice balance of savory and sweet to accompany the spicy chops. Normal apple sauce would just be too sweet in this application.

 

1              Medium Onion – diced small

4              Granny Smith Apples – peeled and diced small

¼ cup    Granulated White Sugar

¼ cup    Apple Cider Vinegar

¾ cup    Apple Juice

2 tsp      Kosher salt

Salt and Pepper to taste

½ tsp     Cinnamon

¼ tsp     Nutmeg

¼ cup    Toasted Pine Nuts

 

Place large skillet on stove over medium low heat with 2 tbsp of vegetable oil

Add onion to cold pan and stir to coat with oil.

Add 2 tsp kosher salt and half of the sugar, stir occasionally until onions are soft, 10-15 minutes.

Add the apple cider vinegar and stir to deglaze (get the brown bits) from the bottom of the pan

Add the apples and remaining sugar, turn heat to medium. Cook until soft, approx. 15-20 minutes

Add apple juice, cinnamon and nutmeg, stir well to combine.

Cook until liquid has absorbed

Remove from heat and allow to cool 10 minutes

Place remaining ¼ cup of apple juice in blender. Add apple / onion mixture and pine nuts

Pulse on low speed until no lumps remain, but there is still some texture remaining.

Taste, and season with salt and pepper as needed