Pork chops have a tendency to buckle as they

cook, making it hard to maintain even contact with
the pan. This happens when the layer of fat around
the chop’s exterior shrinks faster than the meat
inside, squeezing it and causing it to buckle. To
prevent this from happening, score the fat in two or
three places with a sharp knife. Your chops won’t
look as flawless, but they’ll cook a heck of a lot more
evenly.