If you cook stuffed pork chops for too long, they will get dry and tough; and under cooking pork is not healthy. So, here are some tips for cooking them properly.
Stuffed pork chops is a great dish that can be prepared in different variations. As the pork itself is mild in flavor, you can experiment with a wide range of stuffing that can make the meat flavorful. Even though, it is easy to prepare this dish, you must have a basic understanding about the right method of cooking stuffed pork chops.
So, pork chops are stuffed with your favorite filling and are cooked for a stipulated time. Even though it sounds easy, there are certain technicalities, that have to be followed, so as to cook stuffed pork chops perfectly.
If you are looking for a shortcut for making stuffed pork chops, you may get the ready-made ones that are available in the supermarket. All you have to do is to cook them and serve.
You may also bring fresh or frozen pork chops, fill the stuffing and bake them. Even the stuffing can be ready-made or homemade.
If you want to use fresh or frozen pork chops, get those with a thickness of more than two inches. Those with bones are found to be more juicy and flavorful. If there is excess fat, you may trim some.
You may also brine the pork chops, before filling the stuffing; but the brining time should be limited to two or three hours.
Cut small pockets into the pork chops, and fill them with the stuffing of your choice. Push the filling to the farthest end of the pocket, and secure the opening with two to three toothpicks inserted through the edges.
Now the pork chops are ready for cooking. You may sprinkle some salt and ground pepper over the stuffed pork chops.
Even herbs, like thyme and paprika, enhance the flavor of pork chops.
Once done, you can start cooking these stuffed pork chops. You may either go for roasting the chops on a skillet, or you may resort to grilling or baking.
Irrespective of the mode of cooking, you have to make sure that pork chops are properly done. The cooking time may vary with the type of cooking. Apart from cooking temperature and time, even the internal temperature of the meat has to be taken into consideration, while cooking pork chops.
As far as pork is concerned, the meat has to be cooked, till its internal temperature reaches 160° F. You can use an instant-read meat thermometer for checking this temperature. Make sure to insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, where there is no bone, fat or gristle.
If you want to cook stuffed pork chops in a skillet (with some oil or butter), make sure that each side is cooked for at least eight to ten minutes. For grilling, brush the chops with oil and cook each side for around six to eight minutes, or till the meat is done.
Baking is one of the common methods of cooking stuffed pork chops. All you have to do is to place them on a cooking rack that is kept on a roasting pan. You may also add less than half a cup of water into the roasting pan (water should not touch the rack).
Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes, in the oven that is preheated to 350° F. Once done, remove the foil and bake for another 45 minutes. Make sure to measure the internal temperature, before removing the chops from the oven.
Some people like browning pork chops, before baking them. In that case, fry them on a skillet with one or two tablespoons of oil. Make sure that both sides are cooked for around three to four minutes, over medium heat. Once done, bake them for ten minutes, in the oven that is preheated to 400° F.
You may resort to any of these methods to cook stuffed pork chops. Cook for the recommended time and make sure to check the internal temperature of the meat.