Pork Loin with Spicy Apricot Glaze

It seems like I am always searching for new chicken and pork dishes.  Am I the only one?  I find it especially difficult to find recipes for pork that are appealing to me.  It's hard to beat the best pork in the world (click here for recipe), but at the same time if we ate it every week we'd get sick of it.....well, maybe.

The loin is my favorite cut of pork.  Pork chops are OK, and I do really enjoy pulled pork, but pork loin is my favorite because it's always so tender and it always seems to be the perfect size for my family.  Even though I am on a restricted diet right now, pork is on the approved list of foods I can enjoy.  Since I like to pair fruit with pork, I chose to go with this glaze.  It's sweet and spicy, and pairs perfectly with pork or chicken.  I tasted the glaze before putting it on the pork and I thought it was too spicy, so I was worried everyone would be chocking their food down.  However, after cooking it with the glaze on it barely even had any kick to it.  So if you like spicy, you may want to add even more spice than I did.  I thought this was absolutely delicious, and so did everyone else.  It was the perfect amount of sweet, not too fruity tasting and not too spicy.  Try it....you won't be disappointed!

Pork Loin with Spicy Apricot Glaze

2 lbs pork loin
Salt & Pepper
1/2 cup apricot jam
1/3 cup water
1 tsp powdered chipotle chile pepper
2 tbs olive oil

Heat oil in ovenproof 12-inch heavy skillet over medium high heat.  Rinse the pork and pat it dry.  Season with salt & pepper generously on all sides.  Place pork in skillet and brown, turning occasionally, about 4-5 minutes total.  Remove from heat, but leave pork in skillet.

Stir together the apricot jam and chile powder.  Spoon mixture on top of the pork.  Place skillet in the oven at 350.  Roast until thermometer inserted diagonally into the center of the tenderloin registers 140 degrees, about 25 minutes.  Let pork stand in skillet, loosely covered with foil for 10 minutes before slicing.