Monday, June 15, 2009

What goes good with pork? ...PORK

Thanks to my father, we have recently acquired a large Costco sized palate of pork chops. I have a few old standbys for rubs, but I was looking to do stuffed chops tonight. What I decided on was delicious and didn't require a run to the grocery store.

You can tell it's Southern cooking when everything has bacon on/in it!

We added some grilled corn as our veggie. Perfect for summer.

Stuffed Pork Chops (or as I call them, Baconator Chops)
cook time: 30 min
Servings: 4

Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 2 quarts water
  • 4 (2-inch thick) pork chops, bone-in rib loin chops, split to bone
  • 2 slices bacon, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, minced
  • 1 small onion, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon freshly chopped rosemary leaves
  • 1 tablespoon freshly chopped sage leaves
  • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley leaves
  • 2 1/2 cups crumbled cornbread
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper


Instructions:

Whisk salt and both sugars in 2-quarts of cold water. Add pork chops and cover. Refrigerate for about an hour (or as time allows). Remove the pork chops from the brine and dry well. If you don't have time for this, just give the chops a rub down of salt, pepper, and brown sugar.

In a large heavy bottomed saute pan, begin to fry bacon. Add celery, onion and garlic to pan and allow to saute with the crispy bacon. Don't you dare drain the grease first! I'm watching you. Add rosemary, sage and parsley after bacon has cooked for 8 to 10 minutes. Saute until fragrant. Season with salt and pepper.

In a large bowl add cornbread (if you absolutely don't have cornbread, breadcrumbs can work), dried cranberries and chicken stock. Stir in the cooked vegetable mixture. Mix well.

Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

Season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Stuff the chop with about 1/2 cup of stuffing. Use toothpicks to help seal the chops. Grill the chops for 5 to 7 minutes per side. Internal temperature should be 145 degrees F. Allow chop to rest for 5 minutes before serving.