Meals that are prepared using different meats are popular for the summer season. After all, it is when our grills come alive and when family and friends get-togethers happen most often. There is something special about this carefree season that is perfect for relaxing, enjoying company, and savoring deliciously prepared meals.
One of the favorite recipes to cook over the summer is stuffed pork chops. They are easy to make, flavorful, and delicious, and one the favorite recipes of meat lovers. For an easy way to cook stuffed pork chops, follow these simple tips.
Start by buying some good quality pork chops, the thicker the better, as these are going to be stuffed. If you can find already stuffed pork chops, then you will be saving a few steps. Fresh pork chops are better than frozen, but if you buy them frozen that will be fine too, as long as you give them time to defrost. You can put them the day before to defrost in the refrigerator. For these, you can prepare the seasoning the same day, or you can marinate them the night before. It is up to you, but the longer you marinate them the more flavorful they will be. However, you will also have the flavor of the stuffing and sauce, so marinating them will be your choice. If you decide to marinate your pork chops, use a simple mix of oil, salt, pepper, and vinegar.
The day to cook the pork chops prepare the stuffing. You can go with a premade stuffing mix, the easiest choice, or you can make your own using bread, rye bread, or any other stuffing you might like. This step is up to you depending on what you like. You can add cranberries to the mixture, or you can add apple pieces. For a tropical variation, add small chunks of pineapple, along with the juice in the mixture. A simple step is to buy a premade mixture and add the cranberries or apple chunks later. It saves you time, and it tastes as delicious. However, for the cooks that will not go near premade stuffing, making your own is recommended. Preheat your oven to a 350 degree Fahrenheit temperature.
Once you have your stuffing ready, cut a slit into each pork chop, and stuff it with the mixture. Secure well with toothpicks. Grease a baking dish with oil or butter, whichever you prefer. Place the pork chops in the baking dish. At this point, you will pour the sauce over the meat, and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for about an hour. You can cover the baking dish with aluminum foil for a tender chop.
For the sauce, it is up to you what kind to use. You can buy it premade, or you can make it yourself. An easy sauce to make is the following recipe. Combine ¼ cup of honey, ½ teaspoon of mustard (dry), and ¼ cup or orange marmalade in a bowl, heat it all up with a bit of butter (1/4 stick) in the stove for about a minute until the butter melts, then pour into the pork chops. This gives you about ½ cup of sauce, double the recipe if you have many pork chops. The good thing about this sauce is that you can serve it also after you have cooked the meat.
For another easy to do pork chop sauce, buy a bottle of Heinz 57, mix a bit with water and pour over the meat, then bake. Other choices for sauce are cream of mushroom or beef broth. The sauce is the easy part, and it is up to you.
Cooking time will vary depending on your oven, so it may take up to fifteen minutes more. However, you will enjoy a delicious meal that will become one of your favorite recipes.
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