Lemon Mushroom Sauce

We had friends for dinner this weekend. I served this chicken with a sauce similar to this.

Mix ¾ C. chicken broth and ¾ C. white wine. Add a spoonful of cornstarch, whisk and set aside. Clean and slice ½ pound white mushrooms. Melt butter with some EVOO in a sauce pan. Add white ends of one bunch of scallions (diced) and saute. Add the mushrooms and continue cooking. When they begin to release their liquid season with salt, pepper and a pinch of tarragon. Add wine and broth, whisk well, and simmer for twenty minutes. Add zest and juice of one lemon. Taste for additional seasoning and serve over chicken.

Pork Tenderloin with Mushroom and Wine Sauce

As it turns out people are actually still coming over here DESPITE my intense neglect. I've decided to try and post more regularly. I fixed dinner for Precious Oldest and friends last night, here is the menu.

Pork Tenderloin with Mushroom Sauce
Wild Rice
Asparagus

Two pork tenderloins, about a pound each. Mix together a good spoonful each garlic salt, cracked black pepper, thyme*. Sprinkle over pork and and rub in well. Leave to sit at room temperature for half an hour.

Heat two pats butter and some EVOO in a good sized sauce pan. Add ½ lb. baby portabellas: cleaned, stems removed, sliced thinly. Cook over medium heat, when they release their liquid season with salt, fresh ground pepper, thyme. Oh, and I threw in a little dry onion.

Mix ¾ C. beef stock, ¾ C. dry red wine and a spoonful corn starch. Add to mushrooms, stir and simmer 20 or so minutes to reduce. (Towards the end taste for seasoning and add a pat of butter to gloss.)

Grill tenderloins at about 400 degrees, 8 minutes per side. Cover with foil and let rest 5 to 8 minutes.

Slice pork and ladle sauce over sliced meat. People - it was awesome.

* I didn’t have fresh on hand so I used dried French Thyme. If you use ground thyme I would use less.

Citrus Grilled Chicken

Monday Dinner

• Citrus Grilled Chicken
• Grilled Pineapple
• Basmati Rice
• Salad

1/2 C. Orange Juice
1/3 C. Vegetable Oil
2 Big Spoonfuls Orange Marmalade
1 Big Spoonful Soy Sauce
1 Big Spoonful Grated Ginger
Couple grinds Black Pepper

I mixed the above and marinated about a pound and a half of chicken tenders for about six hours. I grilled them six minutes per side.

I took large slices of fresh pineapple and threaded them on skewers. I brushed them lightly with olive oil and threw them on the grill when I turned the chicken. I turned once, so three minutes per side.

Served both over rice with a salad. Great way to christen our new patio furniture!

Grillin'

The weather was beautiful Sunday, perfect for grilling. I have several go to marinades. I used the lemon tarragon last night and it was delicious as always.

Lemon Tarragon Marinade
Equal parts: Lemon Juice, Oil, White Wine
(I was grilling two whole boneless, skinless breasts so I did 1/3 C. each)
Salt and Pepper
Garlic
Tarragon (I'm still doing dry as my herbs are not in yet.)

Mix all the ingredients in a glass dish or large Zip-Lock bag. Marinade chicken for 6 to 8 hours. My grill was at 450 degrees and I did seven minutes per side. Very juicy, tender chicken.

I tried a new side dish I thought would be good and it turned out awesome!

Lemon Orzo
1C. Orzo
Juice and zest of one large Lemon (I’m guessing 1/4 cupish)
Salt and Pepper
2 Tbs. Olive Oil
Handful Toasted Pine Nuts
Handful Shredded Asiago Cheese

Zest, then juice, the lemon. Add salt and pepper. Whisk in olive oil.
I toasted my pine nuts on a sheet in my toaster oven. Mixed cooked pasta with he lemon and added the pine nuts and cheese. It was a great compliment to the chicken and will definitely be added to the rotation.