Friday, December 5, 2014

Stuffed Pork Chops

Stuffed Pork Chops
2 large pork chops with bone-in
1 head of kale, washed with stems pulled and broken into small pieces
Olive oil
1/2 cup cooked quinoa
1/4 cup raisins, plumped up in hot water
2 shallots, minced
1-1/2 cups dry white wine like a Chardonnay
4 tablespoons canned coconut milk
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
salt and pepper
fresh or dried tarragon
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.  In a large oven proof skillet over medium high heat, add a tablespoon of olive oil.  Add kale and cook until wilted, set aside.  Slice the middle of the pork chops to create a pocket, do not cut all the way through.  In a small bowl add some of the cooked kale, quinoa, raisins, add a little salt and pepper.  Mix together.  Add this kale mixture to the pockets of the pork chops.  In the same skillet you cooked the kale, add about 2 tablespoons of olive oil and heat over medium-high heat.  Add pork chops and cook for about 3 minutes until underside is golden brown. Flip over and place skillet into oven and cook for about 15 minutes.  Check on temperature of pork you don't want to over cook it.  For grassfed pork it should be cooked between 145 and 160 degree Fahrenheit.  Remove from oven and let rest.  While the pork is cooking in a skillet, add a teaspoon or so of olive oil and heat over medium high heat.  Add shallots and cook until just tender, add wine and simmer until reduced by half.  Add coconut milk, whisking mixture until thick.  Whisk in mustard.  Add a little salt and pepper to taste.  Spoon over cooked pork chops.  Add a sprinkle of fresh or dried tarragon for a finishing touch.