Pork Tenderloin

Wow, I never thought I would start a blog...but here goes nothin'!

I've found myself with too much time on my hands lately, therefore I have decided to set a goal for myself (which I do not do very often). It's not a big goal, but it's still a goal. I've never been one of those people that set great aspirations for themselves when they were 5 years old, and worked and worked and worked until they accomplished them. That's just not me, and not the way God created me. There are days when I think it would be nice to feel that way, but then I remember that I have a husband who has enough goals and dreams for the two of us {I love you Victor}. So today, I started something, and (gosh darnit) I'm going to finish it! It's a little "spin" off of the movie Julie & Julia, but with my own little twist. When I got married, Don gave me a very thoughtful gift...a family recipe book. He contacted multiple family members and asked for favorite recipes of their own that they would be willing to share with little newlywed me. I have used the recipe book multiple times, but I wanted to go further. Twice a week, I am going to make a family recipe from my wonderful recipe book and post comments and pictures here on my blog! I am very excited!!!

Don has introduced me to foods I never knew I liked, nor existed! When I moved from Washington to Arkansas at age 17, I went from eating grilled cheese sandwiches...to ribeye steaks. It was definitely an upgrade in taste, not to mention price. :) In honor of the man who started the recipe book, the first recipe I started with comes from Don, and is a family favorite..."Pork Tenderloin!" The "Pork Tenderloin" recipe consists of pork tenderloin (obviously), green bell pepper, white onion, a few spices, and that's it! After an hour and a half in the oven, you have a very tasty meal. We've always eaten it with plum or apricot jelly...it's yummy! Now I'm going to attempt to attach a picture.




So there's my first blog entry! I now have leftovers for three more meals, and will make my mother very happy when I don't stop by a drive through window for lunch tomorrow. :) I'm planning on making my next recipe on Tuesday evening, which will be "Grandma Doris's Chicken on the Run." I've never made chicken and rice before, so it should be interesting!

Pork Tenderloin
from the kitchen of Don

1 pork tenderloin (large or small)
1 white onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped (you can add red or yellow bell peppers as well)
2-3 T extra virgin olive oil
salt, pepper, lemon-pepper, and Chacheres seasonings to season
apricot or plum jelly (optional)

Season the pork tenderloin with salt, pepper, lemon-pepper, and Chacheres. If you have a large tenderloin, line the two pieces up in a 13x9 pan. If you have a small tenderloin, slice a trench down the middle to make room for the onion and bell pepper. Mix the chopped onion and bell pepper with 2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, and microwave for 1 minute. Spread the onion and bell pepper mixture between the two halves (or in the trench) of the tenderloin. Wrap the tenderloin in foil, and cook at 400 degrees for 1 hour for the small tenderloin, or 1 1/2 hours for the large tenderloin. Serve with apricot or plum jelly (optional). A large tenderloin serves approximately 4-6 people.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11