Maple Glazed Pork Chop w/ Apple Pancetta Stuffing

Directions for Stuffing

• 1

  Preheat oven to 350°F.

• 2

  Toss squash with olive oil, salt, pepper, and scatter on a baking sheet and roast; toss occasionally for about 45 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl, set aside. On the same sheet scatter macadamia nuts and toast for about 8 minutes, set aside. Bake bread cubes until dry and golden brown, about 15 minutes.

• 3

  Cook the pancetta in a large skillet over medium heat until browned and set aside on paper towels. Reserve grease in pan. In the same pan add onions, fennel, season with salt and pepper and sauté for about 10-15 minutes until softened. Add to the bowl with reserved squash. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the skillet, add apples, season with salt and pepper and sauté for 10 minutes, then transfer to the same bowl. Toss pancetta, nuts and bread with the onions, fennel and squash. Melt remaining butter in the skillet, adding sage and thyme, sauté for 1-2 minutes, add to stuffing mixture, tossing to coat. Mix in chicken broth. Spread stuffing on baking sheet, bake for 1 hour at 350°F.

Directions for Pork Chops

• 1

  Preheat oven 400°F.

• 2

  Toast fennel seeds in a large skillet over medium heat, about 1-2 minutes. Grind seeds with a mortar and pestle. Add salt and pepper to mix. Dry any excess liquid from pork chop with a paper towel. Coat chop with dry rub and set aside.

• 3

  In a saucepan simmer cider and maple syrup over medium heat, reduce until liquid thickens, about 10-15 minutes. Add butter.

• 4

  In the oven, bake pork chops on a baking sheet, rotate after 4 minutes. Remove from oven and brush both sides of pork chops with the glaze; return to oven for another 2 minutes. Drizzle with remaining glaze.