Easy Apricot Glazed Pork Chops & Paying Homage to a Foodie Goddess Next Week

Another week is almost at a close. I actually did some cooking last weekend, this is just the first opportunity I have had to post.
Please forgive me... I recently got back into school at DePaul, and between work and school/school related time (IE studying, reading course material, working on a team project)it's been hard to find the time to do all the cooking and blogging I want to. It's been almost a month since I have created a video recipe, and I'm really hoping to break that habit this weekend.
This weekend, I'm making a very special recipe. I have never made this before because my hand at French cuisine is shaky, and ruining this recipe would be like dishonoring the woman who's recipe and method I will attempt to duplicate. They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery. Not everyone believes that. Julia Child didn't believe that, and when Julie Powell wrote a blog that followed Learning the Art of French Cooking by Julia, she was less than thrilled. Unfortunately Julia is no longer here, so I don't have to worry about the proverbial smack down if this recipe fails.
So next week, I will bring you Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguigon. Keep your fingers crossed for me foodies :)
Now that I'm done talking about whats up next week, lets discuss what went down last weekend...Apricot Glazed Pork Chops. This recipe was so easy, and delicious I know I will keep it on hand to experiment with lots of different flavors. So here are the images and recipe from Easy Apricot Glazed Pork Chops.










Easy Apricot Glazed Pork Chops

• Two 10 oz bone in center-cut pork chops
  
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
  
• 1/3 cup apricot jelly
  
• 1/3 cup white wine
  
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• Salt & pepper to taste
  

Directions
Sprinkle salt and black pepper evenly over chops. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add pork. Cooks on each side until browned (About 5 minutes per side).
Remove Pork chop from pan, and keep warm. Combine preserves, wine, and ginger in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add preserves mixture to pan; simmer 4 minutes or until mixture thickens. Return pork to pan; cook 1 minute, turning to coat.
Serve immediately with rice.

Moroccan Stuffed Pork Chops

It's another week, and I am bound and determined to have a better week than the last one! This flavorful pork chop recipe is from Rachel Ray. I'm not really a fan of most of her recipes, but I really like the complexity of this one. Nothing like a little spice to reanimate a sad soul. Happy eating foodies!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup pine nuts
  
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
  
• 3 cups small pieces prepared cornbread
  
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
  
• 1/4 cup dried currants or raisins
  
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  
• Four 1-inch-thick bone-in pork chops (8 ounces each)
  
• Salt and pepper
  
• Two 6-ounce bags baby spinach

Recipe Directions
In a medium skillet, toast the pine nuts over medium heat for 3 minutes; transfer to a medium bowl. Add 1 tablespoon butter and the onion to the pan and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes; add to the pine nuts. Stir in the cornbread pieces, chicken broth, currants and cinnamon until combined. Slice each pork chop in half horizontally, up to the bone. Spread the pork chops open and season with salt and pepper. Form the stuffing into 4 patties. Place 1 patty inside each pork chop and close the meat around the stuffing. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the skillet over medium heat. Add the pork chops, cover and cook for 5 minutes on each side. Transfer to a plate, cover loosely with foil and let stand for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in the skillet, cook the baby spinach until just wilted. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and season with salt and pepper. Divide the spinach among 4 plates and top with the pork chops; drizzle any juices on top.
Source:Steak and Bread

Grilled Pork Chops with Tomato Peach Relish

This is a wonderful pork chop recipe that's great for tailgating, or fall outdoor grilling! It may seem that the peach & tomato might not go well together, but believe me they do!


Ingredients

• 2 large garlic cloves
  
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  
• 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice, divided
  
• 4 (3/4- to 1-inch-thick) bone-in pork chops (2 1/4 pound)
  
• 1 large peach or nectarine
  
• 1 teaspoon sugar
  
• 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes (10 ounces), quartered
  
• 2 scallions, finely chopped
  
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh jalapeno Chile
  
• 1/4 cup chopped basil
  
• 2 tablespoons chopped mint
  
• 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
  
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
  
• Accompaniment: lime wedges

Recipe Directions:
Mince and mash garlic to a paste with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Transfer to a bowl and stir in oil and 3 tablespoons lime juice. Pour marinade over chops in a glass or ceramic shallow baking dish, then turn to coat. Marinate at room temperature, turning over once, 20 minutes to 1 hour. Chop peach, then toss with sugar and remaining teaspoon lime juice in a medium bowl and let stand 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, scallions, Chile, herbs, and vinegar. Let stand while grilling pork. Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium heat for gas). Meanwhile, remove chops from marinade and pat dry, leaving any bits of garlic. Sprinkle chops on both sides with chili powder, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper (total). Oil grill rack, then grill chops, covered only if using a gas grill, turning over once and moving to area with no coals underneath if flare-ups occur, until just cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve chops with relish.
Source:Grilled Pork Chops with Tomato Peach Relish

Pork Chops with Gorgonzola and Pears

Pork chops can be prepared in so many delicious ways, it's impossible to pick a favorite! This dish is frequently used in my home because of the nice mixture of flavors the fruit and cheese bring to the pork chops. Aftrer a meal this satisfying, you won't even want dessert!

Ingredients

• 4 pork chops, cut 3/4 to 1 inch thick
• Sea salt, kosher salt, or salt
  
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  
• 2 medium ripe pears, peeled, cored; each pear cut into 8 wedges
  
• 2 Tbsp. butter
  
• 1/4 cup dry white wine or apple juice
  
• 1/4 cup whipping cream
  
• 8 oz. creamy Gorgonzola or blue cheese, cut up
  
• Freshly ground black pepper
  
• Additional Gorgonzola cheese, cut into chunks

Directions:
Sprinkle pork chops with salt. In a 12-inch skillet cook pork chops in hot oil over medium heat for 5 minutes. Turn chops and cook 5 minutes more or until browned and juices run clear (160 degrees F). Transfer chops to a serving platter. Drain fat from skillet. In same skillet cook pear wedges in butter over medium-high heat for 5 minutes or until browned, turning once. Add pears to platter. For sauce, add wine and cream to skillet. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Boil gently, uncovered, 1 to 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Add the 8 ounces Gorgonzola; whisk until cheese is almost melted. Remove from heat. Serve with pork and pears. Sprinkle with pepper; serve with additional cheese. Makes 4 servings.
Source:Pork Chops, Cheese and Fruit

Cranberry Orange Pork Chops

This is a great fall recipe sure to bring a little color to your kitchen! The fruit pairs so well with pork chops for this one, it's a good thing the recipe makes 8 chops because they will go fast!

Ingredients

• 4 pork chops, cut 3/4 to 1 inch thick
• Sea salt, kosher salt, or salt
  
• 2 cups coarsely chopped peeled carrots
  
• 8 pork chops, cut 3/4 inch thick (about 1-3/4 pounds)
  
• 1 12-ounce package cranberry-orange sauce
  
• 2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
  
• 1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
  
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  
• 3 fresh plums and/or apricots, pitted and sliced (about 8 ounces)
  
• 4 cups hot cooked white rice

Directions:
Place carrots in a 3-1/2 or 4-quart slow cooker. Place pork chops on carrots. Combine cranberry-orange sauce, tapioca, lemon peel, and cardamom; pour over meat. Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 7 to 8 hours or on high-heat setting for 3-1/2 to 4 hours. Gently stir sliced fruit into pork mixture; turn off slow cooker. Cover; let stand for 5 minutes. Serve over cooked couscous or rice. Makes: 8 servings..
Source:Cranberry Ornage Pork Chops