Shelly's Recipe

CRANBERRY PECAN STUFFED PORK CHOPS

Category: Pork - Chops and Steaks

Stuffing:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small apple, peeled, cored and diced
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced celery
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries, chopped
1 (6 oz) pkg seasoned stuffing mix
1/4 cup chopped pecans
2 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Pork Chops:
6 (1 1/2-inch thick) center-cut pork chops (about 2 1/2 lbs)
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350. For stuffing: Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat 1 minute until hot. Add apple, onion and celery. Cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add broth and cranberries; cook 3 to 4 minutes until mixture begins to bubble. Stir in stuffing mix, pecans and parsley. Remove from heat; set aside. For pork chops: Lightly spray 13x9 inch baking dish with vegetable oil spray; set aside.

For pork chops: Place pork chops on work surface. Cut a slit horizontally in each pork chop forming pocket. Spoon stuffing into pocket of each pork chop. Secure pork chops using toothpicks. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat 1 minute until hot. Add pork chops; cook 2 to 3 minutes per side until deep golden brown. Transfer pork chops to baking dish. Bake 15 to 20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 155 to 160 degrees on instant-read thermometer inserted in pork. Remove from oven to cooling rack; loosely cover with aluminum foil. Allow pork chops to rest 8 minutes before serving.