Chops With Fruit Stuffing Recipes

CRANBERRY-APRICOT STUFFED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Put the dried fruit in a small bowl. Pour 1/4 cup boiling water over the fruit and set aside for 10 minutes to soften. Drain, reserve the soaking water. In a mini-processor process the fruit with the nuts, butter, fennel and half the shallot until finely chopped. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a small sealable plastic bag or pastry bag. Snip about a 1/2-inch opening in the corner of the plastic bag. With a small paring knife, make a pocket starting from rounded side of each chop. Set the tip of the bag inside the pocket and press a quarter of the stuffing into the chop. Repeat with the remaining chops and filling. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Pat the chops dry and season with salt and pepper. In a large saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Brown one side of the chops, until well browned about 5 minutes. Use tongs to hold the chops and sear the edges of the chops. Turn and brown the other sides of the chops, about 2 minutes. Transfer the chops to a baking sheet and bake until an instant read thermometer inserted into the center of the chops registers 135 degrees F, about 15 minutes. While the chops are in the oven make the sauce. Drain the oil from the saute pan. Off the heat, add the Calvados and the remaining shallots. Return the pan to the heat, taking care since the alcohol may flambe, and cook over high heat until the alcohol is reduced by half and is slightly syrupy. Add the broth and the fruit soaking liquid and boil down until the liquid is reduce by about a third. Add the cream and continue to simmer until it thickens slightly. Whisk in the mustard. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add any juices that have accumulated on the baking sheet to the sauce. Divide the chops among 4 warm plates or a large platter. Pour on the sauce and serve.

PORK CHOPS W/ APPLE CRANBERRY STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• If pork chops are not butterflied, slice through leaving attached at one side so it opens like a book. Season inside and out with salt and pepper to taste.
• Heat a skillet on medium high heat with 2 T oil. Place pork cut side down in the pan.
• Leave for 4-5 minutes. Turn and fold the chop shut and brown each outer side of the meat. If the edges are very thick you can also brown the edges. The meat should not be cooked all the way through, only nicely seared and browned. Remove pan from the heat and cover to keep warm.
• To start the stuffing, add the apple liquid, chicken broth, onions, apples, cranberries and the butter to a saucepan and following directions bring to a boil.
• Once liquid is boiling stir in the bread and seasoning. Fold in well making sure all bread gets moistened. Cover. Remove from heat and let stand 5-10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
• Arrange meat with the "hinged" side down in a 9x9 baking dish or cake pan sprayed with a nonstick spray. Fill the upward facing pockets of the pork with the stuffing. If you have any stuffing left, spoon around the base of the meat.
• Cover with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes or the meat is cooked to your satisfaction.
• I still have a thing about pork and I tend to overcook it to this day. Please use your own judgment:).

CROCK POT PORK CHOPS WITH DRIED FRUIT

Steps:

• Place pork in 4-5 quart crock pot slow cooker.
• Layer dried fruit evenly over pork.
• Mix brown sugar, marmalade, vinegar, ginger and nectar,.
• Pour evenly over pork and fruit in crock pot.
• Cover and cook on low heat setting 6-7 hours or until pork is slightly pink when cut near bone.
• Remove pork and fruit from crock pot with slotted spoon, Cover and keep warm.
• Pour juices from slow cooker into 1 quart saucepan.
• Mix cornstarch and water.
• Stir into juices in saucepan.
• Cook over high heat 4-6 minutes , stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly Serve with pork and fruit.

PORK CHOPS WITH APPLE-SAGE STUFFING

Steps:

• Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and celery; cook 3 to 4 minutes or until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.
• Add apple, raisins and apple juice; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat; stir in stuffing mix. Spread mixture in sprayed baking dish. Top with pork chops. Cover with foil; refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Bake covered for 30 minutes.
• Uncover baking dish; brush pork chops with jelly. Bake uncovered an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until pork chops are thoroughly heated.