Pork Chops with Blue Cheese Sauce and Butternut Squash Purée

By Christopher Hirsheimer

October 23rd, 2007

https://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Pork-Chops-with-Blue-Cheese-Sauce-and-Butternut-Squash-Puree/

For this recipe always use the best-quality corn-fed pork available, counseled Alan Hooker, founder of the Ranch House Restaurant in Ojai Valley, California.

SERVES 4

For the Purée

• 1 (2-lb.) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed

• 1 (2") piece fresh ginger, quartered lengthwise

• 2 tbsp. butter

• 1 tsp. herb salt

• 2 tsp. brown sugar

• 1 tbsp. sliced almonds

For the Pork Chops and Sauce

• 8 (8-oz.) loin pork chops, 1" thick, trimmed

• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

• Salt

• 1 cup vermouth

• 1 3⁄4 cups heavy cream

• 3 oz. Danish blue cheese, crumbled

• Freshly ground white pepper

Instructions

1. For the purée: Put squash and ginger in a pot, cover with water, bring to a boil over medium heat, and cook until soft, 30–35 minutes. Remove and discard ginger. Drain squash and mash to a coarse purée. Stir in butter, herb salt, and brown sugar. Cover and keep warm.

2. For the sauce: Bring vermouth to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Boil until reduced by half, about 7 minutes. Add cream and return to a boil. Reduce sauce by one-third, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, whisk in cheese, and season with pepper. Cover and keep warm.

3. Place an oiled grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush chops with oil and season liberally with salt and pepper. Grill until just cooked through, about 8 minutes per side. To serve, divide sauce among four plates. Put chops on top of sauce. Serve with a dollop of squash on the side, sprinkled with almonds.