Savory Spanish-Style Pork Chops
Indulge in a delicious culinary experience with these Savory Spanish-Style Pork Chops, perfect for cozy evenings. Tender pork chops are lovingly braised in a rich, aromatic sauce featuring vibrant vegetables and a delightful blend of herbs and spices. Enhanced with the warmth of stewed tomatoes and the distinct kick of cayenne pepper, this dish is a hearty crowd-pleaser that will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of Spain. Serve it alongside creamy mashed potatoes and a fresh green salad for an unforgettable meal that is both comforting and full of flavor.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
pork chops
4 (trimmed if necessary)
flour
2 tablespoons (for dusting)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (plus 1 teaspoon for sauce)
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (for dusting)
water or dry white wine
1/2 cup (for braising)
oil or shortening
1/3 cup (for browning)
butter
2 tablespoons (for sauce)
diced celery
1/2 cup (for sauce)
diced onion
1/2 cup (for sauce)
diced green pepper
1/4 cup (for sauce)
stewed tomatoes
1 (16-ounce) can (chopped with juice)
oregano
1/4 teaspoon (for sauce)
thyme
1/4 teaspoon (for sauce)
cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
brown sugar
1 tablespoon (for sauce)
Spanish olives
to taste (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a shallow dish, combine the flour, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper. Lightly dust the pork chops in this mixture, ensuring even coverage.
3
In a large skillet, heat the oil (or shortening) over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the coated pork chops and brown them on both sides until golden, about 4–5 minutes per side.
4
Once browned, transfer the pork chops into a baking dish. Pour in 1/2 cup of water or dry white wine, cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil, and place it in the preheated oven.
5
While the chops bake, prepare the sauce. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, add the diced celery, onion, and green pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are tender and wilted, but not browned, about 5–7 minutes.
6
Stir in the chopped stewed tomatoes with their juice, oregano, thyme, cayenne pepper, additional 1 teaspoon of salt, and brown sugar. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
7
Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven and take off the foil. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the pork chops.
8
Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 1.5 hours, or until the pork chops are fork-tender and the flavors have intensified.
9
Serve warm, garnished with Spanish olives if desired, alongside creamy mashed potatoes and a refreshing green salad.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Spanish-Style Pork Chops?
They are tender pork chops braised in a rich, aromatic sauce featuring vibrant vegetables, herbs, stewed tomatoes, and a kick of cayenne pepper.
What temperature should I preheat my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before starting the recipe.
How many pork chops does this recipe call for?
This recipe requires 4 pork chops, trimmed if necessary.
What ingredients are used for dusting the pork chops?
Combine 2 tablespoons of flour, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper to dust the meat.
How long should I brown the pork chops?
Brown them in a skillet over medium-high heat for about 4 to 5 minutes per side until they are golden.
What fat should I use to brown the meat?
You can use 1/3 cup of either oil or shortening for browning the chops.
What liquid is used for the initial braising step?
Use 1/2 cup of water or dry white wine poured into the baking dish with the chops.
What vegetables are included in the sauce?
The sauce includes 1/2 cup diced celery, 1/2 cup diced onion, and 1/4 cup diced green pepper.
How do I prepare the tomatoes for the sauce?
Use one 16-ounce can of stewed tomatoes, chopped and including the juice.
What herbs are added to the Spanish-style sauce?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of oregano and 1/4 teaspoon of thyme.
Is the dish spicy?
The recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, which provides a kick but can be adjusted to your personal taste.
Why is brown sugar used in the sauce?
One tablespoon of brown sugar is added to the sauce to help balance the savory and acidic flavors.
How long should I sauté the vegetables for the sauce?
Sauté the celery, onion, and green pepper in butter for 5 to 7 minutes until they are tender and wilted.
Do I need to cook the sauce before adding it to the pork?
Yes, once all sauce ingredients are combined, cover and cook for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
How long is the final baking time?
After adding the sauce, return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 1.5 hours.
How do I know when the pork chops are done?
The pork chops are ready when they are fork-tender and the sauce flavors have intensified.
What are the recommended side dishes?
It is best served alongside creamy mashed potatoes and a refreshing green salad.
Can I add a garnish to this dish?
Yes, you can garnish the finished dish with Spanish olives if desired.
How much butter is needed for the sauce?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of butter to sauté the vegetable base for the sauce.
Do I need to cover the baking dish?
Yes, cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil for the initial braising period.
What is the total amount of salt used?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon for the flour mixture and an additional 1 teaspoon for the sauce.
What type of pan should I use for browning?
Use a large skillet over medium-high heat to brown the pork chops.
Can I use dry white wine for this recipe?
Yes, 1/2 cup of dry white wine is an excellent substitute for water during the braising process.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
The recipe is tagged with pork chops, spanish cuisine, comfort food, baked, hearty meals, vegetable sauce, and easy dinner.
Is the flour used for thickening or coating?
The flour is used to lightly dust and coat the pork chops before they are browned in the skillet.
What is the preparation for the celery and onions?
Both the celery and onion should be finely diced before being sautéed for the sauce.
Should I brown the vegetables until they are dark?
No, you should sauté the vegetables until they are tender and wilted, but not browned.
Can I adjust the cayenne pepper?
Yes, the 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper can be adjusted to your personal preference for heat.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 16 total ingredients including the optional Spanish olive garnish.
Is this a quick dinner recipe?
While the preparation is straightforward, the total baking time is about 1.5 to 2 hours, making it ideal for a cozy evening meal.