French Onion Pork Chops with Garlicky Mushrooms & Kale

Heat 1 tablespoon each oil and butter in a large broiler-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and thyme and cook, stirring occasionally, until very brown, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Add water, 1/4 teaspoon salt, pepper and baking soda, scraping the bottom of the pan. Cook until the onions are deep golden brown and very soft, 2 to 3 minutes. Add wine, scraping up browned bits, and cook until nearly evaporated, about 1 minute. Stir in broth. Discard the thyme sprigs and transfer the onions to a medium bowl; set aside.

Add another 1 tablespoon each oil and butter to the skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook, without stirring, until golden, about 5 minutes. Stir and continue cooking until browned, 3 to 4 minutes more. Stir in garlic. Add kale, mounding it on top of the mushrooms. Cook, turning with tongs, until the kale is wilted and bright green, 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with lemon juice and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Toss until combined. Transfer to a medium bowl, cover and keep warm. Wipe out the pan.

Position rack in upper third of oven; preheat broiler to high.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan and heat over medium-high heat. Spread breadcrumbs on a plate and press both sides of pork chops into them. Add the pork chops to the pan and cook, flipping once, until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a clean plate. Add the reserved onions to the pan and cook, stirring, to heat through, about 30 seconds. Nestle the pork chops into the onions and sprinkle with Gruyère.

Place the pan under the broiler and cook until the cheese is melted and golden and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of a chop registers 140°F, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve the pork chops with the kale and mushrooms.