[Ashton]

4 (6-oz.) boneless center-cut pork chops (3/4 inch thick)
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup ruby port or cherry juice
1/3 cup dried cherries
1 1/2 tablespoons raspberry preserves
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, chilled

1. Sprinkle pork with 1/4 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Cook pork 8 minutes or until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 145°F., turning once. Remove pork; cover loosely with foil.

2. Add port, cherries, preserves, mustard and thyme to skillet. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from bottom of skillet; boil 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium; simmer 5 to 8 minutes or until syrupy, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.

3. Whisk in butter, any accumulated juices from pork and remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Serve over pork chops.

4 servings