Tuesday, December 21, 2010

'WELCOME WINTER! CAN SPRING BE FAR BEHIND?' ~ PORK TENDERLOIN with CRANBERRY PORT SAUCE / WILD RICE PILAF

O, wind,
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?

~ Percy Bysshe Shelley


'OLD MAN WINTER'

______________

PORK TENDERLOIN with CRANBERRY PORT SAUCE
~ Super easy holiday fare


3 pounds pork tenderloin ( l large or 2 smaller)
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
garlic powder
cracked pepper

1 cup ruby Port
1 cup whole cranberry sauce


  • Spread mustard over tenderloins. Sprinkle with herbs, garlic powder and cracked pepper.
  • Bake at 325º for 35 to 45 minutes depending on size, basting frequently. Remove meat from pan to rest.
  • Add port to pan and deglaze, scraping bits from bottom. Add cranberry sauce and adjust seasonings. Slice pork diagonally and serve with sauce.


WILD RICE PILAF

1 cup wild rice, cooked in chicken stock according to package directions
4 Tbsp. butter
1/4 tsp. minced garlic
1 finely chopped onion
1 small finely chopped green pepper
1/2 finely chopped red pepper
4 oz. sliced fresh mushrooms
2 Tbsp. chopped parsley
salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste

Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, green pepper, red pepper, and mushrooms. Saute until vegetables are soft. Toss vegetables with cooked wild rice and parsley. Season to taste with salt & pepper. (6-8 servings)



"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home."

~ Edith Sitwell

30 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh MY! I'm instantly hungry and thinking I might just make this for tomorrow night's supper. Tonight, since we're doing baking, etc, it's only hamburgers. Lovely, dear Joey. And of course I LOVE your sentiments. The days start getting longer tomorrow, after Long Night tonight.

joey said...

Enjoy jodi :) Yes, my favorite day! Since I have been living at the hospital since last Thurs, have not had time to visit, surprised I got this post up (a needed diversion). We have a new grandson but daughter still there treating her scary/serious blood clots from broken leg, praying she will be released by Christmas! Wishing you a Joyful holiday with hopes you stay warm and electricity stays on!!!

Curbstone Valley Farm said...

Mmmm...this sounds perfect! I love that Shelley is such an optimist too ;) Have a wonderful holiday season Joey, and I'm crossing my fingers that your daughter heals quickly and is home in time for the holidays!

Dee @ Red Dirt Ramblings said...

Sounds splendid. I'll be right over. Merry Christmas!~~Dee

Anonymous said...

So much to love about your post. Yummy recipes, beautiful Santa images, and the quotes are so fitting to the season.

tina said...

Old Man Winter is perfect for the first day of winter. I wish you a Happy Holiday Season!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Joey, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. It is very upsetting when someone is not well especially around the holidays.

I have two pork tenderloins right now in the freezer, great diversion from my regular recipe ala Julia Child.

Eileen

Cat said...

Merry Christmas Joey...I'll keep your daughter in my prayers...congratulations on your new grand son - what a wonderful Christmas gift!

Chad said...

Old Man Winter looks like he's almost frozen himself,must be cold back there.Merry Christmas.

joey said...

Thank you for the kind thoughts, Clare. I too, like Shelley's quote, wish to be the eternal optimist, hoping all goes well for many loved ones. Happy Holidays, dear friend :)

Come on over, Dee. My house hopefully will be filled with my dear family/friends ... you would be most welcome! Merry Christmas.

Thanks gardenwalk/talk ... Happy Holidays :)

Happy Holiday, fun Tina. Thank you.

Always a joy to hear from, Eileen, thank you for the kind wishes. On target today, we are hopeful she wlll be here ... I'm moving forward in preparation. May joy surround you, dear friend. Merry Christmas!

Thank you, dear Whimsical. The baby is beautiful as will our Christmas be if we can all be together ... my Christmas prayer. Happy Holidays :)

It's cold but just as winter should be, Chad. We all need a good rest :) Merry Christmas.

What Karen Sees said...

Wonderful image of Santa, and another yummy recipe. I'm gathering a nice bi collection of your recipes!!! Thank you so much for sharing.

joey said...

Thank you, dear Karen. It's been a joy connecting and viewing life through your creative eye. Happy Holidays!

Nutty Gnome said...

Beautiful photos Joey!
I'm thinking that if we can't get to my brother's (5 hours drive south on a good day!) because of the snow, I could well be making the pork tenderloin for Christmas dinner here for us and dad instead - because I have a large tenderloin in my freezer and this sounds delicious!

Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy, healthy, prosperous 2011 - and thank you for all the lovely posts and friendship this past year! :) xx

Jennifer@threedogsinagarden said...

Hi Joey, Lovely Santas! They look as if they are looking out from behind frosted window panes. I hope that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas! All the best for the new year!

Rose said...

This is one of my favorite quotes, Joey--it becomes my mantra by the first of February:) Yet I'm looking forward to some relaxing days at home, staying warm inside while the snow swirls outdoors. And best of all, the days are now going to get longer!

Wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas, dear friend!

joey said...

Thanks Jennifer ... fun textures :) Wishing you a beautiful holiday season also. It's been a joy connecting.

Mine too, Rose :) Merry Christmas, dear friend. If my daughter is released from the hospital by Christmas eve, all will be grand!

joey said...

Hi dear Liz ... your comment just appeared! Thank you dear friend. Your warm and wonderful friendship has been a true gift. Christmas Blessings!

Kala said...

Your recipe sounds delicious! Have a Merry Christmas dear Joey!!

joey said...

Merry Christmas, dear Kala! Looking forward to our continued friendship in the New Year!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful recipes and I like the image of Old Man Winter!;)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Helen @ Gardening With Confidence said...

Happy Holidays Joey! L, H.

marmee said...

you always have the best recipes. this sounds comforting and delish.
happy christmas and merry new year, dear friend.

Anonymous said...

The recipes you posted sounds really yummy. Thank you for sharing them.

Carol Soules said...

Hi Joey! Catching up on blogs again while I have a few days off from work. This recipe for Pork Roast sounds yummy! I'll have to try it soon. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that you and yours are well. Stop by my blog for the latest here in Amherst!
Best,
Carol
www.terranovadesign.blogspot.com

joey said...

Thanks, dear Kanak. I'm stretchin' with my scurried/happy/scary life catchin' up. Happy New Year :)

Welcome flutietootie and thank you. Enjoy and Happy New Year!

Thank you, dear Marmee. It's been a whirlwind but we are hopefully on happy/hopeful target with all going on. Continued blessings for all of us in the New Year!

So good to hear from you, dear Carol. So enjoyed seeing lovely photos of your beautiful family. Thank you for sharing and Happy New Year!

joey said...

Indeed ... Happy Holiday, dear Helen!

fer said...

Thank you for the recipe!
hope you have the best holidays!

Anonymous said...

Hi Joey! I wish you a wonderful new year with everything you wish for.
Can I say congratulations with the new baby in the family? I hope all went well and your daughter is doing well!
Bisous
Ronell

Anonymous said...

I sure hope you had a lovely family style Christmas there in snowy Michigan. Ours was more subdued with the loss of my FIL, but last night was our wine and cheese party, which is one of the highlights of the season for us.

joey said...

Thank you, fer. Happy New Year!

Thank you for your lovely thoughts, dear Ronell ... it's been a journey!!!

Your holiday sounds wonderful, Robin. Ours, a bit happy/bittersweet but all seems well as I write. Ran around without a coat today ... yippee! Happy New Year :)