Pork Chops Agrodolce

Living in Southern California where the sun is good for growing and the farms are plentiful, I am blessed to be able to get all manner of fresh fruits and vegetables at stellar prices.  Now meat, on the other hand, is another story.  Getting quality meats (ideally hormone-free, and free-range) that are locally sourced costs me an arm and a leg, and sometimes even more than that (tack on a few extra fingers to cover tax, and you get my drift).  It is interesting, because people here are very conscious of eating well-sourced meat, but the supply of local beef/chicken/pork is low compared to other areas of the country.  This supply/demand issue makes prices higher, and in some cases, the cost can be a little prohibitive.  I find myself choosing quality over quantity, ie. eating better quality meat, but just less of it.   

Fresh thyme.

I found myself pondering this issue of the price of pork when I recently decided to make this recipe for Pork Chops Agrodolce a second and third time.  

You see, the first time I made this recipe was when I was visiting my parents in Ohio.  One morning I got an email from Williams and Sonoma, and I saw this recipe when I clicked through to their site.  I was totally intrigued since I had never heard of this Italian sweet and sour dish before, and the recipe seemed so incredibly simple.  I knew I was heading out to the Westside Market the next day, so I picked up some great thick-cut pork chops to make this for my parents.     

3/4-inch thick, bone-in pork chops.

Now I don't know why I haven't talked it up more, but the Westside Market in Cleveland is fantastic.  Even with all the farmer's markets around San Diego, I would die for a place like Westside Market here.  In my eyes, one of the things that really sets the Westside Market apart is their selection of meats.  There are tons of local farms - both small and large - outside of Cleveland, so there is a much larger supply of very high quality local meats.  Plus, the Amish country is not far away and their meats (and cheeses) are always top notch as well.  At the Westside Market, you can find any cut of meat you want, a plethora of sausages and bratwurst, and just about the best bacon ever.  But, the real kicker are the prices.