Pork Chops with Bacon, Apple Butter & Sweet Potatoes

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Put the bacon in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat and render the bacon fat. Once the bacon is crispy remove it from the pan and set it to the side. Season the pork chops on both sides with salt and pepper and caramelize them in the rendered bacon fat. Once both sides are golden brown, remove the pork from the cast iron skillet. Drain 3/4 of the fat from the skillet and add the potatoes, garlic, onion and bell pepper. Cook until tender and caramelized. Once brown mix in the crispy cooked bacon, green onions, sage, salt and pepper. Place the par cooked pork chops on top of the hash and put the entire skillet into the oven. Cook at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes.
2. While the pork and hash are cooking add 1 ounce of butter to a pot on high heat. Once melted add in the apples and brown. After they are slightly brown add in the sherry and cook until the liquid is almost gone. Next, add in the simple syrup (homemade or store bought) and cook for 5 minutes. Finish off with the remaining amount of butter, lemon zest and cinnamon.
3. When done remove the pork chops from the oven. Top off the pork chops with the apple butter and serve.