By Lois Wiirre

Special to the Dispatch

As I sit here at my computer desk writing out the March birthday cards and remits. Antti my youngest son was saying “Mom email or text it is a lot earlier, you’re such a boomer. 

As I turn slowly to look at him above my eyeglasses giving him that “Mom” look. Yes, if you are of a  certain age you get called “Boomer” a lot by the younger generation. As I am writing out the March birthday cards, and  Antti’s just happens to be in the middle of March. When it is possible, I like to cook my kids their favorite meal and have birthday cake. Like these Pork Chops I like to cook baked potatoes and have Peas with them. Simple yet really good. 

   As I was thinking about this story,  I was wondering if I could maybe “Email” Antti the  recipe and “Text” him “ Happy Birthday” after all it would be earlier. LOL  don’t think he would be to happy. 

Till we meet in the kitchen the coffee is on…Lois

Oven Baked Pork Chops

• Pork Chops – you can also try using pork tenderloin. Either option is delicious.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

• Salt and Pepper 

• Paprika 

• Onion Powder 

• Garlic Powder 

Directions:

Oven baked pork chops:

First, go ahead and preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Second, get your baking sheet ready. I used a 9×9 baking dish and sprayed it with cooking spray.

Next, put the pork chops in the baking dish.

You will need a small bowl to mix together the seasoning. Make sure everything is well combined.

Then pat pork chops dry with a paper towel.

Then drizzle the olive oil all over the pork chops. I like to use a basting brush to make sure it is spread around really good.

Now sprinkle the seasoning ,including the black pepper, you mixed together on top of the pork chops. Use your basting brush again to spread it all over the meat.

It does not take long at all to bake. I bake my pork chops at 400 degrees. Normally about 15 to 20 minutes is all it takes. Just make sure the internal temperature is 145 degrees in the pork.

I usually check the pork chops about the 15 minute mark. Pork chops cook quickly if not watched closely.