Pesto Stuffed Pork Chops

Description

Sharkey Family recipe. This goes great served with fresh steamed broccoli and a Caesar salad.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chilled basil pesto
  • 1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts
  • 4 bone-in pork loin chops, 1 1/4-inch thick
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon ground thyme
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  2. Mix feta cheese
  3. basil pesto
  4. and pine nuts in a bowl. Use the tip of a sharp boning or paring knife to cut a 3-inch slit in the side of each pork chop
  5. 2 inches deep and 1/4-inch away from the bone
  6. to make a pocket for stuffing. Stuff pork chops with pesto filling and secure with toothpicks.
  7. Mix black pepper
  8. oregano
  9. garlic
  10. red pepper flakes
  11. and thyme in a small bowl; rub both sides of each chop with the spice mix. Place chops into a shallow baking dish.
  12. Bake in the preheated oven until chops are browned and stuffing is hot
  13. about 40 minutes. An instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the center of the stuffing should read 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Brush chops with balsamic vinegar and bake until vinegar forms a glaze
  14. another 5 minutes.

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 45 mins

Total Time: 1 hr

Servings: 4

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