Fruity Pork Chops

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried apple slices
• 3/4 cup prunes
• 1/2 cup dried apricots
• 1/2 cup dried sour cherries
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cups fresh orange juice
• 1 cup marsala or sherry
• 4 large rib pork chops (about 1 1/4-inches thick)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Preparation

1. Make compote: Combine ingredients in a 2- to 3-quart saucepan; bring to a simmer, cover and cook until fruit is soft but not falling apart, 30 minutes. Remove and discard cinnamon stick. (Compote can be made and refrigerated up to 4 days ahead. Reheat, adding up to 1 cup water to loosen.)
2. Cook pork: Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Season pork chops with salt and pepper and add to pan. Cook until browned on bottom, about 6 minutes. Turn and cover pan loosely; cook about 6 minutes more, until meat is firm to the touch. Transfer chops to a board, tent loosely with foil and let stand for 5 minutes.
3. Arrange chops on plates and spoon compote on top.