Friday, May 20, 2011

Cheese Stuffed Pork Chops

I have mentioned before that we are a family of 5.  Not only are we a family of 5, but 4 of them eat like adults - and out of those 4, they all eat very large portions.  It's crazy the amount of food teenagers go through.  Oi vey. 

So, I shop at Costco for almost everything!!  I'm a big fan of the big box stores, I know - sorry local businesses, but I come to you for other reasons.  :-) 

One thing I purchase from Costco are porkchops - then like all the other meats I buy there, I divide them out and freeze them.  One thing about the porkchops - they are super thick.  Roughly 2" thick.  That's huge, even for my family.  And, they take a lot longer to cook, and I usually end up drying them out because I'm in such a hurry to get dinner on the table. 

Last night, after coming home from track and softball games for the kids, I thought I'd butterfly the chops in hopes of cooking them a little faster.  Not sure if my method of thinking makes sense, but it was worth a try in my own mind.  Remember - I'm not a real chef, just a mom trying to get dinner on the table!

I found this recipe on the Epicurious website, and I just modified it to make it fit with what I had in my fridge.  The original recipe called for Smoked Gouda cheese and jackpot - I had that in my fridge.  I would recommend you don't stray from using this type of cheese - it was SO good and a fantastic pairing with chops.  I told my husband that every now and then, it actually reminded me of a ham and cheese sandwich.  Delicious.

Cheese Stuffed Pork Chops
Original Recipe by Epicurious.com
Adapted Recipe by Kitchen Groovy

4 pork chops, butterflied
1/4 C Smoked Gouda cheese, shredded
Olive oil
Kosher Salt
Pepper

Pack cheese into pockets of pork chops.  Salt and pepper both sides.  Heat olive oil in large pan over medium high heat.  Place chops in pan, and cook on one side for about 4 minutes.  Turn over - then cover pan and cook for another 4-5 minutes.

Serve with a side of your favorite vegetables, like Roasted Parmesan Asparagus, or do what I did to make it REALLY easy - serve it with Costco's Asian Coleslaw!!


Please click here for a printable version of this recipe - Kitchen Groovy

Enjoy and live with gusto!
Carina

4 comments:

  1. Hi Carina! Well, we have a family of 4, but we go to Costco every week and buy food. We're already talking about how much we have to buy when kids are older...so I really can imagine how much stuff you buy. You are one of people we see in Costco that we wonder if you own business. Just kidding! It's great that you are a good cook, so you can make something very tasty for a large group. I definitely need to learn that. Japanese food sometimes takes a long time and feed only few people...and that doesn't work for growing kids. That's why I come here and observe how you do it! The pork chops look delicious Carina! Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ooh this sounds great, Carina! I love any kind of pork chop and stuffed with smoked gouda? YUM! Isn't Costco the best? They just opened a brand new one here that is much larger than the old one. Its like Disney World for grown-ups. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Teenagers do have healthy appetites and these juicy porkchops will certainly satisfy them. Have a lovely weekend Carina!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh yes, they can "eat you out of house and home" my parents would say. Great easy, delicious and filling meal, Carina. We all LOVE smoked Gouda and I wouldn't have thought of using it in pork chops. Perfect. Thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete