Today I’m going to show you how to grill stuffed pork chops. Pork chops are perfect for stuffing, as it is really easy to slice a pocket and fill it with whatever you want. You can stuff any sort of pork chop, but it is far easier to use a thicker, boneless chop.
So, let’s get on to grilling the stuffed pork chops. First off you are going to want to get yourself 4 pork chops that are ¾ to 1 inch thick. Like I mentioned before it is easier to use a boneless pork chop. So what do you stuff your pork chops with? Basically anything your heart desires. You can stuff them with stuffing, other meats and cheeses, cheesy hash browns, or whatever. Just use your imagination.
For my stuffed pork chops I’m going to do something a little different, I’m going to make mine like a calzone. So, I’ll be stuffing it with some cheese, pepperoni, and prosciutto. Sounds good doesn’t it? So, if you want to make the same thing here is what you will need besides the 4 pork chops:
8 basil leaves, fresh
2 oz. sliced pepperoni
2 oz. sliced prosciutto or smoked ham
2 oz. Provolone cheese
8 sage leaves, fresh
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt & pepper
So, you have your boneless pork chops, what you will need to do next is slice some pockets into them. The easiest way to do this is to put them flat on a cutting board and hold the chop down with your free hand. Using a thin, sharp knife, slice into them parallel to the cutting board. Make sure to cut a nice deep pocket into each one.
Now it is time to stuff them. Hold the pocket open and fill it with a bit of pepperoni, prosciutto or ham, Provolone cheese, and a fresh basil leaf. Make sure to stuff it deep so nothing is sticking out of the edge. Repeat with all the chops. Once they are stuffed, you will want to seal them with toothpicks. Dip some toothpicks into some olive oil; this will make it easier to remove them after grilling. Using two toothpicks per pork chop insert them at the edge so they cross forming an X. Once sealed put them in a baking dish and pour some olive oil over them.
Set up your gas or charcoal grill for direct grilling over high heat. Once the grill is ready, sprinkle a bit of salt and pepper on the chops and place them on the grill. Cook for about 4 to 7 minutes per side. The will be 160F when finished. I use this instant read thermometer to check the temperature. Once it is done transfer them to a plate and let them rest for about 3 minutes before serving.
That is how to grill stuffed pork chops. This calzone stuffing is just the tip of the iceberg; feel free to experiment with all sorts of different stuffing. Stuffing pork chops really brings out some great flavors and makes a meal that you and your family will love.
image courtesy of woodleywonderworks/flickr