Fontina Pork Chops Recipes

FONTINA PORK CHOPS WITH MARSALA MUSHROOM GRAVY

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cut bacon into 1/2 inch pieces, fry the bacon and set aside on paper towels. Trim any excess fat from the chops. Season well with granulated garlic, onion powder, salt and pepper.
• Dip the chops into the beaten egg, then press all sides in the bread crumbs until thoroughly coated.
• Heat the oil in same skillet over medium-high heat. Place the breaded chops in the pan and cook on each side for about for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until golden on the outside, and juices run clear. Time will vary depending on the thickness of the chops. Transfer to a plate, and set aside.
• Drain oil leaving about 2 tablespoons in the skillet. Add the mushrooms, cook about 5 minutes. Add garlic. Reduce heat to low and simmer until mushrooms are tender and lightly brown, 5 to 8 more minutes.
• Then remove the cooked mushrooms, and set aside. Add the Marsala to the hot pan. Bring to a simmer and cook until the liquid has reduced to about 1/4 cup.
• Add 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1/2 cup of the chicken broth, and pour into the reduced Marsala. Slowly add the rest of the chicken broth in while stirring. Return to a simmer and cook until mixture starts to thicken. (If it looks like it's getting too thick you can add a little milk or heavy cream to get the consistency you like)
• Add salt and pepper and return the mushroom mixture to the pan. Return the pork chops back to the skillet and sprinkle the fontina cheese on top. Cover to allow the the cheese to melt for a minute. Spoon the sauce over the chops, garnish with bacon and parsley.

FONTINA AND PROSCIUTTO STUFFED PORK CHOPS WITH GRILLED POLENTA SQUARES AND ROASTED CALIFORNIA GRAPES

Steps:

• Prepare the pork chops. Make a brine by combining the water, sugar, salt, thyme sprigs, clove and all-spice berries in a re-sealable bag. Add the pork chops, seal up the bag and put in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Drain the pork chops and pat dry. Using a paring knife, make a horizontal cut into the center of each chop to make a pocket. Stuff a slice of fontina and prosciutto inside each pocket and secure with a toothpick. Set 2 large cast iron skillets over medium-high heat and add a 2-count of extra-virgin olive oil to each skillet. Add 2 chops to each of the skillets and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until golden. Turn chops, push to 1 side and set grape clusters in pan. Drizzle with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper before putting the pans in the oven. Roast chops for 5 to 7 minutes until cooked through and cheese has melted. Remove from oven when done and set chops and clusters of roasted grapes aside on a plate - keep warm.
• Consolidate juices into 1 pan and set over medium heat. Add a splash of chicken stock to the pan, scraping the bottom to extract all the flavors. Fold in cold butter while whisking to thicken sauce. Season with salt and pepper. To serve, set 1 pork chop on each plate on top of a Grilled Polenta Square, garnish with a cluster of roasted grapes and drizzle with pan sauce. Set a stack of hydroponic watercress to 1 side and serve.
• Bring water and salt to a boil in a large saucepan. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal in a slow steady stream. Lower heat and continue to whisk until the polenta is thick and smooth, about 20 minutes. Add the cream and butter and continue to stir until incorporated. Remove from heat; fold in Parmesan and black pepper. Pour the polenta into a buttered 9 by 13-inch shallow baking dish and spread evenly with a spatula. Cover and chill a few hours. Cut the polenta into squares. Brush both sides with olive oil and transfer to a hot grill. Grill on both sides until golden brown.

PORK CHOP WITH SAGE, PROSCIUTTO AND MELTED FONTINA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Heat a large frying pan over medium heat and add 4 tablespoons butter and olive oil. Dust each chop with flour and add to the pan. Cook for 2 minutes on each side.
• Glaze pan with the Marsala, sage, salt and pepper. Top each chop with a slice of prosciutto and a slice of fontina. Place pan in oven until the cheese is melted. Remove from oven and place one chop on each plate.
• Use the remaining juices in the pan and add the rest of the butter. RTeduce sauce and pour over each chop.

PORK CHOPS ALLA FIORENTINA

Steps:

• Remove the pork chops from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dry the pork chops well on both sides using paper towels and season evenly with 1 teaspoon salt.
• Add the oil to the pan and heat an additional 30 seconds. Add the pork chops to the pan and cook, undisturbed, until deep golden brown and beginning to look cooked around the edges, about 5 minutes. Flip the chops, lower the heat to medium and cook, searing the edges as well, until golden brown and the center reaches 140 to 145 degrees F, about 5 minutes. Remove to a plate to rest and carry-over cook.
• Return the pan to medium heat and add the butter, shallots and garlic. Cook until fragrant and soft, about 1 minute. Add the spinach to the pan along with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often until wilted. Stir in the mascarpone, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons water and bring to a simmer. Stir in any juices from the pork that have accumulated on the plate and cook for 2 minutes longer. Spoon the sauce over the pork chops and serve.

VEAL CHOPS WITH FONTINA

Steps:

• Arrange an oven rack to accommodate the covered saucepan, and heat the oven to 400°.
• Trim the chops, leaving only a thin layer of fat. With a sharp, thin knife, slice horizontally into the outer edge of each chop, splitting the meaty portion in two almost all the way to the bone, forming a pocket for stuffing. With the mallet, pound and spread the meaty part, flattening it to 1/2-inch thickness. Lift the top flap of the meat you just sliced apart, hold it up, and pound the bottom flap of meat a few more times, spreading it thinner and wider than the upper flap. When all the chops are sliced and pounded, salt them on both sides, using a teaspoon in all.
• Toss together the shredded fontina and the grana (grated Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano), and divide the cheeses into six equal portions. One at a time, lightly compress the cheese portions into oval patties, and slip them into the sliced chop pockets. Fold the larger bottom meat flap over the top flap-enclosing the cheese-and thread a toothpick through both flaps to keep them together. (The chops can be prepared up to this point a day in advance, sealed in plastic wrap, and refrigerated.)
• Put 2 tablespoons of the butter and the olive oil in the big pan, and set over medium-high heat. Spread the flour on a plate, dredge each chop on both sides, shake off excess flour, and lay it in the pan. When all the chops are in the pan, drop the sage leaves in between them. Cook the chops for 5 minutes or more, turning them once or twice, until well browned on both sides.
• Clear a space in the pan bottom, drop in the tomato paste, and toast it in the hot spot for a minute. Pour the wine over the tomato paste, stir them together, and shake the pan to distribute the liquid. Bring it to a boil, and cook for 3 minutes or so, to reduce.
• Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and whisk it into the pan liquid. Turn the chops over, pour in the chicken stock, sprinkle on the remaining salt, and bring to a boil.
• Cover the pan, and place in the oven. Roast for about 15 minutes, then remove the cover and roast another 10 minutes or so, until the chops are done and the sauce has thickened.
• Remove from the oven, and place the chops on a warm platter. (Drape a towel over the handle of the pan when it comes out of the oven to remind you it is very hot.) If the sauce is thin, put the pan over high heat and reduce until the sauce has the consistency you like.
• Serve right away-while the cheese is still oozing-arranging all the chops on a warm platter and spooning the sauce over, family-style, or on warm dinner plates with mashed potatoes alongside and sauce drizzled over. (If you do have fresh white truffle, shave it on the top of each chop at this moment.)

PORK CHOPS SALTIMBOCCA WITH SAUTéED SPINACH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in middle.
• Cut a deep, wide pocket in each pork chop. Sprinkle half of sage into each pocket and stuff pockets with cheese and prosciutto. Pat chops dry and season with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper (total).
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch ovenproof heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Cook chops until undersides are golden, about 2 minutes, then turn chops and transfer skillet to oven. Roast until cooked through, about 5 minutes.
• While chops cook, heat remaining tablespoon oil in a 5-quart pot over medium heat until it shimmers. Sauté garlic until pale golden, about 30 seconds. Add spinach and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until wilted, about 3 minutes. Season with salt.
• Transfer chops to a platter. Add butter and lemon juice to hot skillet, stirring and scraping up brown bits, then pour sauce over pork.
• Serve pork with spinach.