I like to use a pork loin or thick chops cut from a pork loin. I like making this the best when my figs are ripe. You can adjust this to your family's taste. Sometimes we even put a little feta cheese in the stuffing mix. Its something I can make and even the kids don't complain about it lol. I like to make baked potatoes as a side.
Here is my recipe:
4 thick pork chops (I like to use pork loin cut @ 1 1/4 inch thick)
1/2 tsp orange zested orange peel
Orange juice from 1 orange
1 TBS butter
2TBs chopped onion
1 celery stalk chopped
6 mushrooms sliced (optional)
1-2 cloves of garlic (minced) to taste
1 1/2 c dry bread crumbs ( I like to use stove top stuffing mix in cornbread or herb flavor)
1/3 c coarrsly chopped granny smith apple
1/4 tsp rubbed sage
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp coarsly ground black pepper
2/3 c apple juice or cider
cut up figs (when in season)optional
black olives -sliced (optional)
Instructions:
Cut opening in ea chop from rib side. Set aside. zest 1/2 tsp orange peel, set aside. Squeeze orange, reserving juice.
For stuffing:
In med pan cook onion in 1 TBS butter till tender. Remove from heat, stir in bread crumbs,olives, apple, garlic, celery, mushrooms, figs, orange zest, sage, cinnamon, allspice, pepper and apple juice/cider.
Place chops in baking dish. Fill each pork chop pocket with an equal amt of stuffing mix. Brush each chop with remaining orange juice. I usually throw some more herbs on top and any remaing stuffing mix. Cover baking dish with foil or lid if you have a dutch oven etc.
Bake in a 350 oven for 45- 60 minutes or till tender and cooked throughly.