Baked Bacon-Wrapped Center-Cut Pork Chops

We get these beautiful little 4 ounce bacon-wrapped center-cut pork chops in our meat order each month. This is Elswet's recipe for the perfect baked chop, and it is written for 2. The Ingredients list will undoubtedly state 8 ounces of pork chop because I've never been able to master this submitting a recipe thing. I've tried it without any marination time, and you can DEFINITELY tell the difference. It's not horrible, but it's nowhere near as good. DO NOT allow the pan to be rattled. You want the onions and apples to remain loosely piled atop the chops. It acts as a natural basting process as these cook and the juices run into the meat. I've never had apples with pork before, but it's fantastic! We hope you enjoy these like we do! NOTE: The pictured photo submitted by me was accomplished using this recipe served on a bed of my own "Better Than Instant, Instant Stuffing."

• Ready In: 1 hr 50 mins
• Serves: 2
• Yields: 2 pork chops

Ingredients

• 8  ounces center-cut pork chops
• 2  slices bacon
• 1  small Red Delicious apple
• 1  small onion
• 1  tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 1  teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon  meat tenderizer, no MSG, unseasoned
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground sage
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground celery seed
• 4  sprigs fresh thyme
• 1  large garlic clove, sliced very thin

Directions

1. Wrap your center cut pork chops with bacon and fix into place. Line a loaf pan with aluminum foil and grease the bottom with a tiny bit of oil or cooking spray. Place your chops into the center of the pan, neither touching the sides, nor one another.
2. Directly onto each chop, deposit 1/4 teaspoon no MSG unseasoned meat tenderizer, flip chop and repeat. Both sides are now tenderized and oiled. Add thyme, salt, pepper, sage, ground celery seed, and garlic.
3. Using a medium grater, grate small onion equally right onto each chop, repeat with small apple. Split white wine vinegar and Worcestershire sauce evenly, pouring over onion and apple.
4. Cover and let marinade in refrigerator overnight if possible. 4 hours should do the trick, if you don't have the time.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F and bake, covered, for 1 1/2 hours. When done, the apple and onion should still be on top of the pork chop. Leave them as garnish and remove to serving plate. Serve hot over a bed of pork dressing. Enjoy!