Stuffed Pork Chops

Or maybe overstuffed pork chops? 🙂

I stuff meats all the darn time.  Usually, though, there is cheese involved.  And occasionally, another meat.  This time,  I decided to stuff pork chops with some…well…stuffing.

This may not look terribly fancy, but it’s not really meant to be.  I know I have been using these words a lot lately, but this is downright homey and comforting.  I guess I just must really be craving that kind of food lately!

This is a pretty traditional stuffing that I added pistachios to (I love pistachios, and think they pair well with the leeks and mushrooms. Oh, and I have a lot sitting in my cabinet.)  The stuffing mixture is easy enough to put together, and since the pork chops are butterflied, they cook up rather quickly, making this an easy weeknight meal.  I made a quick pan sauce/gravy at the end with a small amount of roux and some chicken stock.  It was perfect to spoon over the chops and mashed potatoes.

Stuffed Pork Chops

Serves 2
 Printer Friendly Recipe 

2 tsp. butter
1/2 cup (very loosely packed) sliced leeks
1/2 cup mushrooms, chopped
leaves from 1 small sprig of thyme
1 clove garlic
1/3 cup unseasoned bread cubes
3 Tbsp. chopped pistachios
2 tsp. chopped fresh parsley
2-3 Tbsp. chicken broth (and more if you want to make a pan sauce)
2 pork chops, butterflied or with deep pockets cut into them, pounded if very thick
2 tsp. olive oil

Preheat the oven to 375.

To make the stuffing:  heat the butter in a pan over medium heat until melted, and then add the leeks, mushrooms, and thyme.  Add a little salt and pepper and cook until the moisture from the mushrooms has cooked off and evaporated.  Stir in the garlic and cook about 40 seconds, or until fragrant.  Place the mixture into a medium bowl.   Add the bread cubes, pistachios and parsley to the bowl, tossing to combine.  Add a little chicken broth just to moisten the bread.

Season the pork chops with salt and pepper.  Stuff each pork chop with half the bread mixture (if necessary, secure with a toothpick or twine).  Heat the oil in an oven-proof pan.  Once hot, add the chops and brown on both sides (just one to two minutes).  Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake  until pork chops are cooked through, about 10 minutes or a little more, depending on thickness.

If you want, make a pan sauce by adding some chicken stock to the pan once you’ve removed the pork chops, and reduce over medium-high heat, seasoning to taste.  You can start with a roux (or stir in a corn starch slurry) if you’d like a thicker pan sauce.