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Stuffed Pork Chops

Jason & Tracy (our oldest of our 5 kids) had us over for dinner last night. That is such a treat to be invited over to our kids houses to eat. It is refreshing to be at their tables and sometimes catch a glimpse of seeing a little bit of yourself in them, as they cook, serve and entertain others. Was a delightful evening and the food was scrumptious. Tracy told me she got this out of Giada’s cookbook. We didn’t leave a crumb on our plates. She even had us chocolate truffles for dessert that she had bought from Whole Foods. Thanks guys, it was such a nice evening.

2 tables olive oil, divided

2 cloves garlic,minced

6 sun-dried tomatoes

1 (10 oz) bag of frozen spinach, thawed and water squeezed out well

1/2 teas salt, plus more for seasoning

1/2 teas pepper

1/4 teas dried thyme

1/4 cup (2 oz) goat cheese

1/3 cup reduced fat cream cheese, softened

4 (4 oz ea) center-cut porck chops

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1/2 lemon, zested

2 tables lemon juice

2 teas Dijon mustard

Warm 1 tables olive oil in a nice size sauté pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes, spinach, salt, pepper and thyme. Cook until well combined, about 2 more minutes. Transfer the mixture to a medium size bowl. Add the softened goat cheese and the cream cheese.

Using a sharp knife, cut a pocket into the thickest portion of the pork chop. Stuff each pocket with the spinach mixture (about 1/4 cup). Sprinkle salt and pepper over each pork chop.

In a small bowl, combine the chicken broth, lemon zest and mustard.

Warm the remaining 1 tables olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When pan is hot, add the chops.

Cook until golden and cooked through, about 4 to 5 min per side. Transfer the chops to a side dish and tent with foil to keep warm. Add the chicken broth mixture to the skillet over medium-high heat, scrapping up the brown bits from the bottom of the skillet as the broth begins to thicken. Cook until broth has been reduced by half, (about 8 min)making a light sauce to drizzle over each chop as you serve them.

Tracy served these with baked butter-nut squash, drizzled with cinnamon and olive oil and baked Brussels sprouts.

Holiday Fare · Meats

Slow-Cooker Cranberry-Orange Pork Roast

2 Tablespoons oil

1 flat boneless pork loin roast (about 4 pounds)

1 can (14 oz) whole berry cranberry sauce

1/2 cup Kraft Classic Catalina Dressing

1 tablespoon less-sodium soy sauce

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 teaspoon zest and 1/4 cup juice from 1 orange

Heat oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add meat and cook 4-5 minutes on each side or until browned on both sides. Transfer meat to slow cooker.

Mix cranberry sauce, dressing and soy sauce; pour over meat. Cover with lid. Cook on low 4 to 5 hours. Remove meat from cooker, reserving liquid in the slow cooker. Whisk remaining ingredients in small bowl until blended. Stir into liquid. Cook covered on high 10 minutes or until thickened.

Slice meat and place on serving platter. Drizzle with some of the sauce. Serve remaining sauce on the side.

*For best results do not cook meat on “high” setting in crock pot.

Makes 12-14 servings