Chicken & Dijon Pan Sauce

Wash and dry the fresh produce. Separate the collard green leaves from the stems; discard the stems, then roughly chop the leaves. Peel and roughly chop 2 cloves of garlic. Core and small dice the apple. Place in a bowl; add half the vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Set aside to marinate, stirring occasionally, at least 10 minutes. In a separate bowl, combine the soy sauce, mustard, sugar, remaining vinegar, and 1/4 cup of water.

Meanwhile, in a small pot, combine the rice, a big pinch of salt, and 1 cup of water. Heat to boiling on high. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook, without stirring, 12 to 14 minutes, or until the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Turn off the heat and fluff with a fork. Cover to keep warm.

Meanwhile, in a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the chopped collard greens. Cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until slightly wilted. Add the chopped garlic and as much of the red pepper flakes as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes, or until slightly softened. Add 1/4 cup of water (carefully, as the liquid may splatter). Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until the collard greens are wilted and the water has cooked off. Transfer to a bowl. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Cover with foil to keep warm. Wipe out the pan.

Pat the pork dry with paper towels; season with salt and pepper on both sides. In the same pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned pork. Cook 4 to 6 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through.* Leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan, transfer to a cutting board and let rest at least 5 minutes.

*An instant-read thermometer should register 145°F.

While the pork rests, to the pan of reserved fond, add the sauce (carefully, as the liquid may splatter). Cook on medium-high, stirring frequently and scraping up any fond, 2 to 3 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Turn off the heat. Stir in the crème fraîche until combined. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired.

To the pot of cooked rice, add the marinated apple (including any liquid); season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Slice the rested pork crosswise. Serve the sliced pork with the finished rice and cooked collard greens. Top the pork and rice with the finished sauce. Enjoy!