Tre Stelle® Grilled Pork Chops with Apple and Feta Recipe

Instructions:

Melt butter in a medium skillet; add shallots and cook until shallots begin to soften. Add sage and apples; cook until apples begin to soften. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Stir in Tre Stelle® Feta Cheese. Set aside or cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Spread Dijon mustard on both sides of the pork chops; season with salt and pepper. Preheat indoor or outdoor grill to medium-high and cook pork chops until they reach an internal temp of 145ºF (63ºC). Carefully top each with a spoon full of Tre Stelle® Feta mixture; cover until cheese begins to melt.

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Created by: Tre Stelle Kitchen

Cheese: Feta

Pork Chops with Feta FAQs

To learn more about our delicious dish of pork chops with feta, take a look through some of our most frequently asked questions to learn more about how you can enhance your pork chop dishes with Tre Stelle feta cheese. 

Is it best to sear pork chops first and then bake them?

Yes, pan-searing your pork chops before putting them in the oven to bake is a great way to create texture on the outside of your protein while having a perfectly tender, juicy flavor experience with every bite. Pork chop is a protein that is notorious for getting dry, especially if you do not know how to cook them properly. Therefore, to ensure your pork chop remains tender and flavorful during the cooking process, follow these steps for a perfect pork chop every time: 

Marinate your pork chop beforehand 

Pork chops are incredibly tender and often get a bad reputation from people who have never tasted a pork chop that is appropriately prepared. Therefore, the first step to ensuring your pork chops wow the people you’re feeding you first want to marinate your pork chops in advance for at least three hours. This will allow the seasoning to remain noticeable on your pallet, even after your protein has baked in the oven. If you can, marinate your pork chops the night before for an extra kick of flavor. 

Bring your pork chop to room temperature. 

Once your pork chops have marinated in your spices for at least three hours in the refrigerator, take them out and allow them to warm to room temperature. This will ultimately help the meat remain flavorful and moist. 

Sear your pork chops 

Again, sear your pork chops in a pan by turning your stove on high heat. This will allow you to quickly sear each side to create a beautiful crust around the exterior of each protein piece to lock in those flavors and make your pork chops as tender as possible. 

Add chicken broth to your dish.

Once your pork chop has seared on your pan, transfer it to a baking dish and add a splash of chicken broth to the bottom. This will also help keep your pork chops tender as they cook and ensure they do not dry out and lose flavor. 

Leave it to cool 

Once your pork chops are out of the oven, let them cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving them to guests. Place a tin foil on top of your dish to lock in foil and moisture while allowing the meat to cool to a temperature that is safe to eat. 

And there you have it! Pork chops are a delicious meal that, when cooked correctly, can really impress your pallet and the people you’re cooking for. With the tips listed above, you’ll never cook your pork chops the same ever again! 

How long should pork chops be marinated?

Pork chops are known to be highly tender compared to other proteins. Because of this, when not marinated or cooked correctly, they can come out tasteless and difficult to consume. Therefore, when preparing your pork chop dish, you will want to marinate your protein for at least three hours in the fridge. However, if you can, prepare your pork chops the night before you intend to cook them to allow the seasonings to soak into the meat. Not only will this help ensure you don’t eat flavorless meat, but it will also help the pork chops retain moisture as they cook. 

Further, before you want to cook your pork chops, take your marinated protein out of the fridge, and allow it to warm to room temperature on your counter. This step will help ensure the pork does not lose flavor as it cooks. Again, to make sure your pork chops are worthy of the rave they get, sear each side of your protein at a high temperature before throwing it in the oven with a bit of broth to keep that flavor and moisture. This way, you can make sure that your pork chops are flavorful, juicy, and worth going back for seconds. 

Seasoning for pork chop 

Tasty seasonings to marinate your pork chop in include: 

• Sage 

• Dijon mustard 

• Brown sugar 

• Salt

• Thyme

• Peppercorn

• Lemon 

• Soy sauce 

• Worcestershire sauce 

The goal with pork chops is to make a brine. This will allow your pork chops to soak as they marinade to lock in flavor and help create a dish that is going to be juicer in the end. 

How much percentage of fat is in this dish? 

Generally speaking, pork chops have an average of 14 grams of fat per 100 grams of meat. On the other hand, our pork chops with feta recipe calls for ¾ cup of feta cheese, which equates to approximately 4.52 grams of fat. Together that is 18.52 grams of fat in all four servings that this recipe makes. With that being said, you will also need to consider how large your bone-in pork chops are, as well as the fat contents of the other ingredients, to be able to calculate an exact amount.

Further, while feta cheese has a relatively low-fat content compared to other cheese, it should still be consumed in moderation due to its high sodium. Eating foods with high sodium levels can lead to high cholesterol over time which can also lead to other health problems. Nonetheless, you can still enjoy this delicious pork chop with feta dish as it is an excellent source of protein and other essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, calcium, iron, Vitamin B9, Vitamin B5, folate, magnesium, and Vitamin K. Moreover, to optimize the nutritious value of this dish, consider pairing your pork chops with feta with a side of greens such as asparagus and brussels sprouts, as they both are excellent sources of vitamins and antioxidants that benefit your health!

For six servings, how much feta cheese should be used?

Our delectable pork chops with Tre Stelle feta cheese are made to accommodate four servings. However, if you have a dinner party for six or want leftovers for the next day, then you will need to alter the recipe we’ve provided. With that said, as the recipe calls for ¾ of a cup of Tre Stelle feta cheese, you will want to add another ¼ cup for a total amount of 1 cup. 

What’s a decent side dish to serve with pork chops?

When it comes to choosing the perfect side for your pork chops, you’re going to want to select something that compliments the flavors without overshadowing them. Here are some side dishes that will allow you to enjoy your newly prepared pork chops with feta: 

Mashed Potatoes 

Mash potatoes are a classic side dish that works well with pork chops. With contrasting textures between the protein, fluffy potatoes, and crumbled feta, your family or guests will appreciate the combination of flavors that never get old. 

Butternut Squash Soup 

The next side dish that pairs nicely with pork chops is butternut squash soup. If you want a dish that is more on the sweet and hearty side of dishes as opposed to savory, then the soup is the perfect way to go. With its creamy-like texture, butternut squash soup will complement your pork chops with the sage and Dijon without taking away from the unique flavors of your protein. 

Glazed Carrots 

For a simpler side dish that is quick and easy to prepare, glazed honey carrots offer the perfect balance between sweet and savory. While keeping your carrots soft on the outside with a bit of crunch as you bite down, you’re going to experience a combination that highlights the tenderness of your pork chop. 

Corn Bread

A southern classic that your family will love and appreciate from start to finish. Cornbread offers a delicious, sweet contrast to the savory flavors you get from your protein and feta cheese while also beautifully complementing your main dish with its unique texture and baked goodness. 

Sweet Potato Fries 

Simple, easy, delicious. With a hearty protein like pork chops, an easy to prepare side dish of sweet potato fries can go a long way. With a delightful contrast of textures, flavors, and hues, sweet potato fries are loved by everyone and also do wonders for an easy presentation that tastes incredible with that hint of salt from the feta cheese topped on your pork chops. 

Scalloped Potatoes 

Again, with the potatoes –you really can’t go wrong! Scallop potatoes give you the best of both worlds with their crispy exterior and creamy finish. The creamy potatoes provide a tasty contrast to the heartiness of the pork chop. It’s also a great side dish that compliments the different seasonings and spices the pork chop is marinated in without taking away from it. 

Mac and Cheese 

Who doesn’t enjoy a good side of mac and cheese? With its creamy, rich texture and smooth finish in every bite, mac and cheese are a great side dish that will not only complement your pork chops with feta but will also leave you feeling full and satisfied, making it an excellent option for those who have younger children. 

Maple Brussel Sprouts 

When it comes to pairing side dishes with pork chops, vegetables are always a great way to ramp up your overall presentation while complimenting the flavors of your protein. Therefore, another fabulous side dish for your feta pork chop is maple brussels sprouts. This easy-to-prepare dish gives you a touch of sweetness that will pair nicely with the acidity in the feta and enhance your palate with each bite of protein.

Lemon-Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan 

A simple roasted asparagus is a staple side dish that will compliment your pork chops with feta beautifully. With a bright, citrusy undertone, this asparagus paired with your marinated pork chops and the hint of salty from the feta is the best of both worlds. Not only will it compliment the flavors of your pork chops, but it will do so in a way that doesn’t take away the focus of your marinated protein which is what you should aim for with dishes like these. 

Fried Apples 

For those who want to step out of their comfort zone and try something delicious and easy to prepare, then fried apples are the side dish for you. If you didn’t already know, applesauce is a typical side dish served with pork chops. Therefore, if you want something a little more filling than apple sauce that still gives you that southern, sweet, and savory flavor, then fried apples are the perfect middle ground. Even though the dish already has apples incorporated within it, this is another way you can enjoy the flavors that are easy to prepare and nonetheless delicious. 

Now that you know what it takes to make the perfect pork chop with feta and what side dishes work best to complement your meal, you’ll now be able to enjoy new meals at home that offer you nutritious value while still being absolutely delicious.