Best Fontina And Prosciutto Stuffed Pork Chops With Grilled Polenta Squares And Roasted California Grapes Recipes

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.

GRILLED PORK AND FONTINA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Put a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Drizzle the pork chops on both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle both sides with the herbs de Provence and grill for 10 minutes. Turn the chops over and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 160 degrees F. Transfer the chops to a cutting board and let them rest for 10 minutes. Slice each chop into 6 (1/4-inch thick) slices.
• In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, basil, lemon zest, and lemon juice until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• To assemble the sandwiches: Lay the bottom half of the bread on a work surface and spread with 1/2 of the mayonnaise mixture. Add the lettuce leaves, arrange the cheese slices on the lettuce and top with the pork slices. Spread the top half of the bread with the remaining mayonnaise mixture and cover the sandwiches. Slice the loaf into 4 pieces and serve.

POLENTA WITH FONTINA AND EGGS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the polenta slices dry with paper towels, add to the skillet and cook until golden, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
• Reduce the heat under the skillet to low. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil, the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until the garlic is golden, about 1 minute.
• Add the tomatoes and 1/2 cup water, bring to a simmer and cook 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Remove 1/4 cup of the sauce and set aside.
• Arrange the polenta rounds in the skillet with the sauce, then crack the eggs on top. Season with salt and pepper and top with the reserved sauce and the cheese. Transfer to the oven and bake until the egg whites are set, 13 to 15 minutes. Top with the parsley.

GRAPE AND PROSCIUTTO APPETIZERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Lightly brush 12 slices of baguette with half of the olive oil and lay them directly on the middle rack of the oven. Toast for 5 minutes, or until light golden brown.
• Put the remaining olive oil in a small saute pan and warm over medium-high.
• Add the grapes and saute for 2 to 3 minutes, or until soft and warmed through. Remove from heat. Sprinkle the balsamic vinegar over the grapes and add a few grindings of pepper.
• Top each baguette slice with one leaf of basil and spread the goat cheese evenly among the toasted slices.
• Cut each slice of prosciutto in half and drape over the cheese. Top each of the baguettes with three of the sauteed grapes.

GRAPE AND PROSCIUTTO APPETIZER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly brush 12 slices of baguette with half of the olive oil and lay them directly on the middle rack of the oven. Toast for 5 minutes, or until light golden brown. Put the remaining olive oil in a small saute pan and warm over medium-high. Add the grapes and saute for 2 to 3 minutes or until soft and warmed through. Remove from the heat. Sprinkle the balsamic vinegar over the grapes and add a few grindings of pepper.
• Top each baguette slice with one leaf of basil and spread the goat cheese evenly among the toasted slices. Cut each slice of prosciutto in half and drape over the cheese. Top each of the baguettes with three of the sauteed grapes.
• May be served warm or made in advance and served at room temperature.