Pork and Apple Skillet Meal

I love this meal in the fall, when apples are in prime season and mushrooms and onions go on sale.  The best thing about it is that it can all be made in one skillet, and the last 15 minutes are totally hands-off - the perfect time to empty the dishwasher, wash the cutting board, wipe down the counter, and still have a moment to read the kids a story... or check your e-mail.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 pork chops, about 3/4 inches thick (there is so much of the rice/apple mixture left at the end that I think it would be totally fine to throw a couple more chops in if your family is a bit hungrier)
• 1 medium onion, sliced*
• 1 8 oz container of sliced mushrooms (or slice them yourself if the whole ones are on sale)
• 2 Tbs of balsamic vinaigrette dressing
• 2 apples, sliced*
• 1 10 1/2 oz can of condensed chicken broth
• 1 broth can of water
• 1-1/2 c of instant rice
• dried thyme (about 1 tsp)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Spray non-stick skillet with cooking spray.
2. Brown pork chops in skillet on med-high for about 3 minutes on each side. (*I slice the apples and onions while the chops are browning.)
3. Add mushrooms, onions, and dressing to the pan and cook about 4 minutes longer.
4. Add apples, thyme, broth, water, and rice.  Mix around until everything is moistened.
5. Turn heat down to medium, cover skillet, and let simmer for 15 minutes.

Difficulty: Pretty easy; there are only two things to cut and the rest you just measure and toss in the skillet.
Time: about 30 minutes
Source: adapted from Kraft Food and Family magazine