Balsamic-Fig Pork Chops with Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Review now

Ingredients

4 boneless pork chops, about 175 g (6 oz) each		2 tbsp crumbled blue cheese
4 slices of “uncured” smoked bacon		2 tbsp soured cream or creme fraiche
1 tsp Southwestern spice rub		15 g ( 1/2 oz) butter
A little vegetable oil		1 tbsp milk
4 tbsp balsamic-fig vinegar (or ordinary aged balsamic)		2 tbsp snipped fresh chives
675 g (1 1/2 lb) Yukon Gold (or other all-purpose potatoes), peeled and quartered lengthwise		Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Prep: 25 min Total: 45 min

Try Kitchen View! Take your computer to the kitchen and view this recipe full-screen, with step-by-step directions.

1
Place a sprig of rosemary in the centre of each chop, then wrap a bacon slice around it. Season with the spice rub. Keep chilled until needed.
2
Heat a ridged cast-iron grill pan. When hot, brush it with oil and add the pork chops, rosemary-side down. Cook for 10 minutes, turning the heat down to moderate after the first 2 minutes. Turn the chops over and cook for another 10 minutes. Drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the chops. Turn the heat down to low and finish cooking, 5–10 minutes longer.
3
While the chops are cooking, boil the potatoes in lightly salted water until tender, 15–20 minutes. Drain, reserving the cooking water, and return to the pan. Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes with the cheese, cream, butter, and milk. Add the snipped chives and beat with a wooden spoon or electric mixer just until smooth and fluffy. Season to taste.
4
When the chops are cooked, transfer to plates and keep warm. Pour enough potato cooking water into the grill pan to cover the bottom. Bring to a boil, scraping up any meat residues. Taste the jus you’ve made and season, if necessary. Spoon the jus over the pork chops and spoon the potatoes alongside. Garnish with rosemary sprigs and serve.

Chime In