Pork Tenderloin Potatoes

Recently I had a few pork tenderloins in my freezer that were pre-seasoned.  They were on sale, and I thought they would make a nice quick meal.  And to go along with it, I thought sliced potatoes would be a perfect compliment.
They were! and so easy to make.

So here's how to do it.

Take your tenderloin and read the cooking instructions. Set the oven to whatever it says.
Next, take a few potatoes, and slice them very thin. I used the mandolin for this.
Put your tenderloin in a square cake pan diagonally, then on both sides start to layer the potatoes.  Place a layer of potatoes, then spritz with a butter spray (melted butter brushed on would work as well) then sprinkle with salt.  Continue this layering until you have used your potatoes.

Bake it as directed.  You will definitely want  to use your meat thermometer, as the potatoes added into the pan does cause the tenderloin to cook slower. I think I had to add about 20-30 minutes extra, but it was in 10 minute increments, so I'm really not sure how long it took in total. 

The top potatoes will be crispy, the layers underneath very nice and soft.  If needed, you can take the pork out when it's finished and cook the potatoes longer, just use a fork to test doneness.

Enjoy!

Adventures in Acorn Squash

(I tried to publish this a few months ago, and only noticed this week that it never published)
Acorn squash.... A strange looking squash that sat on my counter for weeks, than became part of my Thanksgiving decorations. It's very pretty when presented that way, but alas, after Thanksgiving it's time to decorate for Christmas and there was no place in the Christmas decor for the acorn squash. Time for me to figure out how to cook the thing.
Now why, you might ask, did I have this thing lying around in the first place? Well I participate in Bountiful Baskets and it was one of the items.
So, I searched the Internet and found that for the most part it's cooked 1 way; sliced in half with butter and brown sugar. Although after some more intense searching I did find a few more ways to cook it up. This is a variation of one of those ways.
First you take an acorn squash, some kind of butter spray, and brown sugar.

Next, you slice the squash in half. Now, that sounds simple enough right? WRONG! That thing is pure evil to cut up! I tried to slice it on my mandolin, than with a large knife, than the serrated bread knife, than I cut it in half and sliced the halves on the mandolin. Still supper hard to slice, but slightly better that way.

Next spray the slices with the butter spray and sprinkle with brown sugar.

Bake at 350 for 15 minutes, turn over and spray and sprinkle the other side. Cook for another 10 minutes.
Yummy yummy.

Next time I might try peeling the acorn squash first.... Not sure how that will work. Guess ill find out.

*Note* peeling didn't work at all. So, please, unless you know a secret (and if so please let me know!) don't waste your time trying to peel it.

Acorn squash
Butter spray
Brown sugar

Oven at 350

Slice squash up and place on cookie sheet
Spray with butter spray
Sprinkle with brown sugar
Cook for 15 minutes
Turn over and repeat the butter and sugar
Cook for 10 minutes.
Enjoy!

Orange smoothie (julius?)

It dawned on me today that orange Julius is basically a smoothie. Never really thought of it as such before, so I thought lets make it real, as in, use fruit!
So I bring to you an orange Julius smoothie!
1 cup milk
3 oranges pealed and broken into chunks
1 teaspoon vanilla
Ice (depends on how thick you like your smoothies)
Blend! And enjoy!
This picture is taken of the smoothie in my blender. It was yummy.

Chex muddy buddies

This recipe can be found on the back or side of most chex boxes. So I'm going to post it here, since it is so readily available. These are super good, addictingly so.
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
9 cups chex (any kind)
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
In a 1 qt microwave safe bowl mix the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave on high 1 min. Stir and microwave 30 sec longer or until melted and smooth. Add vanilla.
In a large container with a lid, fill with the chex and pour chocolate mixture over. Stir until evenly coated. Add powdered sugar, cover, amd shake until coated.
Spread onto wax paper to cool.

Yummy stuff

Chicken rolls

This is my grandmothers recipe. Whenever I am missing either her, or my mom, I make this dish.  It brings me back to my childhood.

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 4 cups salted water
• 1 small package cream cheese
• 1 small package cream cheese with chives*
• 1/2 cup butter separated
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 4 ounces drained mushrooms
• 2 cans crescent rolls
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon sage
• 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts
• Gravy:
• 4 Cups chicken broth
• 4 Tablespoons cornstarch

Directions

• Boil the chicken in salted water until cooked through. Let cool.
• In a bowl add the two cream cheeses, 1/4 cup butter, and pepper. Cream together. Add mushrooms and chicken.
• Mix bread crumbs, sage, and nuts in separate bowl, set aside.
• Unroll Crescent rolls. Put 1/4 cup chicken mixture on crescent roll. At small end roll up and seal. Dip in melted butter. Roll in bread crumb mixture. Bake at 350 for 20 Minutes Serve with chicken roll gravy
• Gravy:
• Add cornstarch to chicken broth while cool. Heat until it boils stirring constantly until thickens 

*Note, if you can't find cream cheese with chives, just purchase 1 6oz package of cream cheese and add chives to it.

Breakfast smoothie

Super easy, Super yummy and Super quick.  Really, a smoothie is anything you want in it. What I did here is:

1/2 cup fat free(or low fat) plain yogurt
1/4 cup frozen blueberries
1/4 cup frozen raspberries
1/2 cup frozen peaches
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1-3 tablespoons pomegranate juice.
1 teaspoon sugar
3 tablespoons egg beaters egg whites (optional)
Ice Cubes (optional)

The amount of pomegranate juice depends on if you use ice cubes, and how many you use. If you don't use any, you'll only need one tablespoon. I like lots of ice in my smoothie, so I had to use a few tablespoons to get it to blend.
Blend everything, but the ice cubes together first. Then add the ice cubes and blend until crushed.
If you want to add protein to your smoothie, add the egg whites. But make sure you use the pasteurized kind in the box so you don't get sick!

German pancakes

Ah, German pancakes. Something I always looked forward to eating for breakfast on the weekends when I was little. And I still enjoy them!

Very simple. Preheat your oven to 350
in an 11X7 cake pan place 3 tablespoons of butter or margarine. Put in the oven and let it melt while your oven preheats.
Mix together:
3 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup milk
a dash of salt.

Pour into the heated pan once the butter is melted.
Cook for 20 minutes.
Now, the secret to a nice fluffy pancake is
1, don't do aerobics while this cooks.  Keep your walking soft or it will fall
2, When the timer goes off, instead of immediately pulling it from the oven, crack the oven door (like you would when broiling something) and turn the heat off in the oven. Let it sit in the oven for about 5 minutes while the oven cools. This will help it retain is fluffiness when you cut into it.
If it does fall when you cut into it, it's okay, it will still taste yummy.
Serve with syrup, or fruit, or whatever you enjoy for breakfast.

Potatoes au gratin and glazed carrots

This is the perfect recipe to use the leftover Christmas ham in
I peeled 4 potatoes, chopped up some of the cooked ham, added a bit of onion, and threw it all in the crock pot. Then I used half a pound of Velveeta cheese and poured just a dash of milk.
Cook on low for about 5 to 6 hours, or until potatoes are tender.

This was four 2 people, so you can adjust recipe accordingly.

The glazed carrots were found in the comfort food diet cookbook. They were also cooked in the crock pot. I do believe I should have let them cook for a bit longer than I did, but they were still very good.

Carrot cake

Ah, Carrot Cake. No Christmas is complete in my house without it!  It's such a deceptive little desert. For the health-conscious person you think Ah! Carrot Cake! Something healthy! For the child it's Awww... CARROT Cake?
But, the cake is spiced and oh so yummy, and I think once you put the cream cheese frosting on.....  all healthiness goes out the window.
It's okay though, because Carrot Cake only comes once a year. So you must enjoy!
So...  My mom's yummy Carrot Cake recipe....

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup salad oil
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups grated carrots
2 cups flour
4 eggs
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Beat eggs until fluffy. Blend in sugar, salad oil, and flour. Blend in the remaining ingredients. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.

For the Frosting:
1 cube butter
1- 8 oz package of cream cheese
1 box (1 pound) of powdered sugar
1 cup chopped nuts
1 teaspoon vanilla.
Blend cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Add sugar and nuts.

Frost and enjoy!!

Lighter eggnog

This version isn't as thick, and is non-alcoholic.
9 tablespoons of egg substitute (equivalent of three eggs)
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 quart (4 cups) milk
Nutmeg
Mix together first 4 ingredients. Pour into cups, sprinkle with nutmeg.
For 1 person....
3 tablespoons egg substitute (1 egg)
1/8 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk
Nutmeg
Enjoy!

*note, I used 1% milk and egg whites for this recipe

Creole chicken and lemon squash corn

The chicken....
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 skinless boneless chicken breasts
Chopped fresh cilantro
Mix the first six ingredients together. Place in a plastic bag. Add the chicken shake to coat. Heat a skillet abd spray with a non stick sray. Cook chicken until meat thermometer reaches 170
When finished top with cilantro if desired.

For veggies

Take a medium summer squash, or zuchini, and thinley slice it. Chop an onion and cook with squash in olive oil and about 1 teaspoon dried dill. When tender add 1 drained can corn and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Heat through.

Honey grilled pork chops and asparagus with mushrooms

We'll start with the pork chops. You need
4 pork chops
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons dijon mustard
1 tablespoon orange juice
1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Mix everything except pork chops together. If you are grilling outside, use as a baste as you grill. If you are cooking inside on the stovetop or using a george forman grill, use as a marinade.
Very very good and quick!
The asparagus was very good and went well with the pork chops.  It can be found here: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Asparagus-with-Mushrooms

I used freshly grated ginger, instead of the ground ginger

Steeler sloppy joes

These are super easy, as easy as using the canned stuff, but healthier.
For this you need...
1 pound hamburger
3/4 cup ketchup
8 oz can tomato sauce
1 1/2 teaspoon groung cumin
1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

Brown hamburger. Mix everything else in and heat up. Serve on hamburger buns.

See..... super easy!
Enjoy!

Fruity glazed chicken and lemon pepper veggies

This is similar to the raspberry chicken. You take chicken and cook it in a frying pan until done. Than keep warm and carmalize chopped onions. When they are done, add raspberry vinegar and cook for a little longer before adding the chicken back in. Done!

For the veggies. Take frozen green beans and microwave them for about 5 minutes. Add a summer squash and microwave 2 minutes. Then add a chopped tomatoe. Microwave for another 2 minutes. Then take 1 tablespoon of butter and stir it in. Sprinkle lemon pepper seasoning and italian seasoning over it all.

Very tasty and colorful way to get veggies into your meal!

Dijon herb pork tenderloin & flavorful squash

1 pound pork tenderloin
Dijon mustard
Dried sage
1/4 cup apple juice
Preheat oven to 375
Cut pork into 1 inch slices. Place in abaking dish. Spead a small amount of mustard on each slice. Sprinkle with sage and pour apple juice over it. cook about 35 minutes, or until meat reaches 170 on thermometer.
Pour juices in a saucepan. Add a tablespoon of cornstarch with 1/4 cup water and add to pan. Can add more applejuice if needed to make desired amount of gravy.

For the veggies slice an onion and saute in olive oil. Slice a summer squash and add to onion. Let it cook until almost done than add minced garlic. Cook a few minutes longer. Sprinkle basil, oregano, pasley and thyme.

Super yummy and super easy!

My mom's chili

I love my mother's chili recipe and have to have it at least once every winter. It makes quite a bit, so depending on the size of your family you may end up freezing leftovers. That's alright because it freezes very well.
4 cups pinto beans
1 pound hamburger
1 chopped onion
1 quart vegitable juice
1 heaping teaspoon chili powder
Cook the beans in water in a large stock pot, adding water as needed. This will take at least 4 hours. When the beans are almost done add everything else. Cook for at least 1 more hour.
Goes great with saltines

Raspberry chicken

2 tbsp olive oil
4 4oz chicken breasts
3 garlic cloves finely sliced
1/2 cup raspberry vinegar
2 fresh tomatoes chopped
1 tsp sage
1 tsp basil
1 tbsp parsley
1/2 cup chicken stock
Heat oil in skillet. Brown chicken on both sides until almost done. Add 2 tbsp raspberry vinegar and garlic. Cover and simmer for 10 min, or until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken, keep warm. Add vinegar stir brown bits from skillet. Raise heat and boil vinegar until reduced to thick glaze. Add tomatoes and spices and chicken stock boil until liquid is reduced by half. serve over chicken.

Makes a tasty and elegent dish. Can be garnished with fresh raspberries if desired.

Accidental spaghetti sauce

It wasn't supposed to be spaghetti sauce, but I grabbed the wrong size can of tomato sauce and realized it just after I poured it in. So... it was cooked hamburger with a can of diced tomatoes and a 15 oz can of tomatoe sauce. I just dumped some italian seasoning in it and served it over shell noodles with parmesan cheese on top. Turned out pretty well.

Lemon chicken and fried potatoes

This is an easy dinner. Preheat oven to 400. Place chicken breast in pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and add a good amount of lemon juice. Cook for about 20-30 min until done.
For the potatoes slice them thin, cook onions until tender, fry bacon, add the potatoes and some oil (or butter) and cook on a low heat with a lid on the pan. Stir often because they will burn easily!

Corn chips

Such a super easy thing to make. Simply take corn tortillas, cut them into 8ths, and fry. Add salt as desired. Sooo yummy with homemade salsa!