Oven-Barbecued Pork Chops

Because my mother has been ill, I took up cooking for my dad and myself. I looked for a simple enough recipe that I wouldn't be too confused but also something that would make my dad pleasantly surprised. This recipe accomplished both goals with ease. If you are a beginner like me and need to look up what 'minced' means and just how to best pick apart a garlic clover, you can expect the prep time to take a little longer (15-25 min). That's not really a "con" though, because I believe it had more to do with me than the recipe!

This recipe was a hit with the family. My Dad, who isn't super-easy to please, loved it. As he said, "The sauce makes the meal. This sauce is awesome." I was worried the orange juice would create too much of a citrus-y flavor, but it really just serves to moisten the dish and the orange wasn't a noticeable flavor in the final product. I'm always nervous when a recipe requires you to place a skillet in the oven, because once it's removed, it's easy to forget the handle has been baking in 400 degree temperatures, but I think I've learned my lesson after one burn from another similar recipe, so no burns this time. Just be careful!

I served these pork chops with applesauce and corn muffins made from Eating Well's "The Best Corn Bread" recipe (http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/the_best_corn_bread.html). Yummy!