Baked Stuffed Pork Chops

Ingredients

• 2 center-cut pork chops (thick cut boneless. 1 -1/2 to 2 inches thick)
• 4 ounces goat cheese, divided
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1/4 cup celery, chopped fine
• 1/4 cup red onion, chopped fine
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 3 teaspoons oil
• 1/2 cup white wine (semi-dry. Don't cook with what you wouldn't drink!)
• salt and pepper

Directions

1. 1

   1.Spray rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray and place on lower-middle rack of oven. Preheat to 425.

2. 2

   2.heat 2 oil and butter over medium-high heat in a skillet.

3. 3

   3.insert paring knife into chop at end away from bone & open a 2 inch hole almost to bone.

4. 4

   4.Work knife back & forth until the pocket is almost the full size of chop. Set aside.

5. 5

   5.Saute celery in melted oil/butter mixture for 3-4 minute. Add chopped onion and saute for 5-6 minutes more.

6. 6

   6.Remove onions & celery with slotted spoon, reserving as much oil/butter combination as possible. Remove skillet from heat.

7. 7

   7.Mix 1/2 of the goat cheese and the stripped leaves from 2 sprigs of the thyme with the celery & onion in a bowl & allow cheese to slightly melt from the heat of the vegetables.

8. 8

   8.When mixture is cool enough to work with (3-5 minutes) divide stuffing into thirds and stuff chops with 1/3 each, reserving 1/3 of stuffing. Do not be afraid of over stuffing. Season both sides with salt & pepper.

9. 9

   9.Return skillet to a medium-high heat and bring to temperature.

10. 10

    10.Sear stuffed chops, turning once until browned on each side. About 2-3 minutes per side.

11. 11

    11.Once chops are browned remove from skillet, place on sheet in oven and bake until done, turning once. About 4-5 minutes per side. Once chops are done, remove to plate, tent with foil & keep warm.

12. 12

    12.while chops are baking,add the 1/2 cup of wine the remaining stuffing, cheese and the remaining sprig of thyme to the skillet & bring to boil.

13. 13

    13.Immediately reduce heat to a simmer Stir pan sauce constantly until reduced by 1/2.

14. 14

    14.Plate with Jasmine or Basmati rice & green beans. Pour a generous amount of sauce over chops and reserve the rest for you and your partner.