Lingonberry and Crushed Red Pepper Glazed Pork Chops

Hi!  It's been a week or so since I've updated.  Life's about to get busy, so once a week would be awesome.  It will also come to pass that I'm not making as many new recipes because I get used to making certain things, and having favorites.  But, I'll try to make sure that I post reviews of products and restaurants, even when I'm not trying a new recipe or attempting to recreate an old favorite.

I'm sure it is already apparent (for those who don't know), how much I enjoy pork chops.  We eat them very frequently in this house because they're relatively inexpensive, and I like doing lots of fun stuff with them.  They're also a great source of lean protein, for those of you who worry about that stuff.  Tonight's meal was actually inspired/requested by my husband.  We recently took a trip down to the Charlotte Ikea to buy a desk/writing table.  I'm very fast approaching my dissertation, and especially now that I can't simply pick up a convenience meal from the EUC connected to the library, doing a ton of work at the library is going to have to be sequestered to day time hours.  I'm sure I'll still have a few long nights there, but I'd like to be able to be at home.  Not only is it good for our budget, but even if I'm working, I know it makes my husband (and me) feel better that I'm home.

So we looked for awhile for a writing table or a desk that was in our budget, and just didn't find anything besides Ikea.  For $40 we got something that we're both happy with and will not be a total pain in the rear to take apart and reassemble when we move.  One of the great things about going to Ikea is eating the food, and shopping in the Swedish food market.  Whenever we eat there, I think it ought to be called, "How many times can Jason fill up his cup with Lingonberry juice?"  He loves it.  So, this time when we went through the food market, he picked up a jar of Lingonberry preserves.  When I asked him today how he wanted the pork chops cooked, he said he thought it would be neat to do something with the preserves.  So, the idea was born.

This combo is sweet and spicy, and I was really proud of my ability to restrain myself with the crushed red pepper.  I usually go a little overboard with it.  I think there's a good amount of complexity in the flavors of this recipe, and I hope you like it as much as we did.  The first bite got immediate happy groans. . . if you speak man and know the exact translation, feel free to let me know.  After an inquisitive look, I got, "SO GOOD."

Lingonberry Crushed Red Pepper Glazed Pork Chops
3-4 boneless pork chops
kosher salt
onion powder
hot paprika
lingonberry preserves
teeny bit (that's an exact measurement equaling around 1/2 tsp.) crushed red pepper


1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

2.  Season each side of the pork chops with salt, onion powder, paprika, and spread a generous layer of lingonberry preserves.

3.  Flip each chop and repeat on the other side.

4.  Take a SMALL amount of crushed red pepper and dust each of the chops.  A little goes a long way with this.  There's already hot paprika on these lovelies, so no need to go crazy!

5.  Bake in the oven, uncovered for approximately 40 minutes.

If you'd like, you can spoon more of the melty, delicious glaze onto the pork chops during the cooking if you'd like.  I served this with baked potatoes, and I had peas.  My husband had peas and creamed corn.  I've never been a huge fan of creamed corn, and it doesn't even matter anymore because one of the first ingredients you'll see on a can is "modified food starch".  So, there you go.

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!  This is one of those recipes that will likely keep me from making newer stuff when I get super busy.  It's so easy, so tasty, and definitely on my husband's "favorite" list.