I don't know WHAT came over me. I had these thin cut pork chops and I just went to town. I swear cooking is becoming a creative outlet for me more and more. I just love it!
So this idea was totally inspired by fall and my recent trip to a local farm where I bought a bunch of apples and a giant butternut squash. I love winter squash and apple together. I blended the two in Winter Squash Soup with Roasted Seeds but this time I cubed them and added a bit of bulgur. What a great stuffing for pork or even just a side dish!
As for family approval I got the customary "it's good" from the husband who did eat a whole serving. The toddler also ate the whole dish without complaint although I did cut the pork and put the stuffing on the side, separated on his plate. I do have to add this was the FIRST time I have gotten both boys to eat bulgur, without complaint. I was shocked.
I will definitely be taking these leftovers to lunch tomorrow. 🙂
Ingredients
- About ¼ cup chopped onion
- 1 cup cubed butternut squash (140g)
- 1 small apple cubed (with skin on) (about 120g)
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon all spice
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup bulgur (80g)
- 1 pound thin cut pork loin chops
- Non--stick cooking spray
- kosher salt
Instructions
Heat a medium sized saucepan over medium-high heat. Spray with nonstick cooking spray. Add the onion. Cook for a minute or two until just turning transprent. Add the butternut squash and pinch of salt. Cook the butternut for 2-3 minute tossing occasionally. The bottom with start to brown. That's OK we will deglaze the plan. If it's getting too dark lower the heat to a medium.
After the 2-3 minutes add the cubed apple, nutmeg, and all spice. Cook for another 2-3 minutes stirring occasionally.
Add the broth and the bulgur. Crank up the heat to high and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover and lower to a simmer. Simmer for at least 15 minutes allowing the bulgur to absorb most of the liquid.
While the bulgur is cooking preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Even though the pork is cut thin we are still going to pound it thinner. Lay a chop on a cutting board. Cover with plastic wrap and pound a few times with a meat mallet or rolling pin. Repeat for all chops.
Once bulgur is done begin stuffing the pork. Lay out a thin chop. Using a soup or tablespoon plop some of the bulgur mixture in the middle. Fold over the ends of a pork and fasten with a toothpick.
Place the stuffed chops in a baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 more.
I served with a side of broccoli. Here's a little before and after baking shot.
Bulgur Stuffed Pork with Butternut Squash & Apples
Ingredients
- About ¼ cup chopped onion
- 1 cup cubed butternut squash 140g
- 1 small apple cubed with skin on (about 120g)
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon all spice
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup bulgur 80g
- 1 pound thin cut pork loin chops
- Non--stick cooking spray
- kosher salt
Instructions
- Heat a medium sized saucepan over medium-high heat. Spray with nonstick cooking spray. Add the onion. Cook for a minute or two until just turning transprent. Add the butternut squash and pinch of salt.About ¼ cup chopped onion, 1 cup cubed butternut squash, kosher salt, Non--stick cooking spray
- Cook the butternut for 2-3 minute tossing occasionally. The bottom with start to brown. That's OK we will deglaze the plan. If it's getting too dark lower the heat to a medium.
- After the 2-3 minutes add the cubed apple, nutmeg, and all spice. Cook for another 2-3 minutes stirring occasionally.1 small apple cubed, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon all spice
- Add the broth and the bulgur. Crank up the heat to high and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover and lower to a simmer. Simmer for at least 15 minutes allowing the bulgur to absorb most of the liquid.1 cup chicken broth, ½ cup bulgur
- While the bulgur is cooking preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Even though the pork is cut thin we are still going to pound it thinner. Lay a chop on a cutting board. Cover with plastic wrap and pound a few times with a meat mallet or rolling pin. Repeat for all chops.1 pound thin cut pork loin chops
- Once bulgur is done begin stuffing the pork. Lay out a thin chop. Using a soup or tablespoon plop some of the bulgur mixture in the middle. Fold over the ends of a pork and fasten with a toothpick.
- Place the stuffed chops in a baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 more.
- I served with a side of broccoli. Here's a little before and after baking shot.
Mrs.Ballou says
Couscous worked GREAT! Fantastic recipe, thank you for sharing! I made brussels sprouts on the side with a dijon mustard sauce and that sauce is great when it leaks onto the pork on the plate a little too! 🙂
roni says
You'll have to let us know how it turns out! Great idea!
-Roni
Mrs.Ballou says
I am going to try this tonight, I don't have any bulgar, don't feel like stopping at the store tonight and I have whole wheat couscous, so I'm going to substitute that! It looks wonderful. 🙂
Kolleen says
Loved the pork chop/squash recipe! Totally approved by husband and neighbors. My kids wouldn't touch it but my neighbors did. I bought precut squash, onions at Wegman's along with the other ingredients. So easy and LOVED it! I added some Splenda and next time I'd add raisins. Thanks for the idea.
Nina says
Tried it! Loved it! Yes, and even my ol' man said "It's good" (not very heartily, but he did say it 😉
I only used a little bit of the squash, so I cut the rest up and froze it. Made up a batch of the 'stuffing' the other day to stick in the fridge to eat. My nose has been so stuffed up I haven't been able to taste much, but it seems to be pretty yummy. 🙂 Thanks again!!!
Mike says
That looks amazing. Seriously, I need to try doing some meat like this!
KC says
Wow, this is a genious idea. I baked some pork chops a few weeks ago but they were blah....this makes it so much better!!! Your so creative, I look forward to these post every week!
Krista S. says
This looks awesome! I tried butternut squash last year (in oven-fry form) and hated it, but I might give it a try again in this recipe. YUM.
Anne [email protected] Weigh of Life says
That looks amazing!!!
roni says
lol yup! Thanks... I wrote it up in like 10 minutes. Wasn't planning on a post last night!
Irene aka FitHungryGurl says
I am sure you meant 1/2 cup of Bulgar, not 12 cup. LOL!
roni says
Darn it.. You HAD to bring that up didn't you. lol I've had a rough couple of months. It's still in production. 🙂
Susan says
Looks yummy and if it's toddler approved, it has to be good!
How's the book coming?