Dinner was "gouda"...

I love cooking dinner on Sundays. It seems so much more relaxing. Tonights dinner was a request from Ryan. We made Pork Chops stuffed with Gouda and Bacon. The smoked gouda and bacon filling gives such a great flavor to the pork. Since I had to cook bacon anyways, I thought I'd serve the smashed potatoes. They are by no means healthy, but they are very good! Josh's opinion of potatoes - "tatoes kuka", but he ate them all tonight. It must be all the extra goodness in them.

Pork Chops Stuffed with Gouda and Bacon

¼ lb smoked Gouda cheese, grated
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
¼ tsp ground pepper
4 (2 ½” thick) pork chops
2 tsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to season

Preheat grill to medium heat.
Combine cheese, bacon, parsley and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
Lay the chop flat on the cutting board and with sharp knife, cut pocket into pork. Stuff cheese mixture into pocket and close with toothpick. Brush meat with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Lightly oil grill grates. Grill over medium heat for 5-8 minutes on each side or until pork is done.

Cheddar Bacon Smashed Potatoes

5 lbs potatoes, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced.
1 pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 cube butter, melted
1 cup sour cream
1 lb crisp bacon, crumbled – reserve some to sprinkle on top
2 cups cheddar cheese, grated – reserve some to sprinkle on top
1 bunch green onions, chopped – reserve some to sprinkle on top

Boil together potatoes and garlic until tender. Mash. Add remaining ingredients. Put into casserole dish. Sprinkle top with bacon, cheese, and onions. Bake at 350˚ for 30 minutes. Serve.

I will even pre-make this dish and bake before serving.