Apple and Gorgonzola-Stuffed Pork Chops

These pork chops are great for when you want to knock the socks off of company without it taking all day. These cook up quickly and are a lovely savory-sweet.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. butter
1 apple, peeled, cored, and finely diced
1 Tsp. Thyme
1/4 c. crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
4 pork chops (1 1/2 inches thick)
Salt and pepper

1. Melt the butter of medium-high heat.
2. Add the apple to the butter and cook until soft.
3. Remove the apple from heat and put it in a small bowl w/ the Gorgonzola crumbles.
4. Using a thin-bladed knife to cut a pocket into the middle of the pork chops (don't cut completely through)
5. Liberally salt and pepper each side of the pork chop. Sear in a hot pan for about 1 1/2 minutes on each side.
6. Stuff with the Gorgonzola/apple mixture. Don't overstuff or it'll all spill out.
7. You can either broil it on each side for 4-5 minutes or sauté covered over medium heat for 4-5 minutes each side. Veer on the side of underdone since pork chops (especially lower-quality ones) get stringy and tough if overcooked.

Serve with Gorgonzola sauce (optional)
1 1/2 tsp. butter
2 garlic cloves
3/4 c. chicken stock
2 Tbsp. cream
1/2 c. crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
1/4 tsp. black pepper (though, I prefer a lot more)
1 Tbsp. chopped Italian parsley

1. Deglaze the crusty bits left from searing the pork chops with the butter. Add garlic and cook on med-high heat for 1-2 minutes
2. Add chicken stock, cream, Gorgonzola, and pepper and simmer 10 minutes
3. Remove from heat and stir in chopped parsley.
4. Spoon warm on top of Gorgonzola pork chops.