Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Avocado Salsa

The contrast of sweet and spicy, the textures and colors make this one of my favorite summertime dinner party recipes.

I serve it with CMF Quinoa with toasted pecans and green onion or with Cilantro Rice and a simple spinach salad with peas.

For dessert: Mango Mousse and following the pineapple for a tropical theme I add 1 – 2 tablespoons of coconut to the mousse. Toasting 2 tablespoons of coconut in a skillet and sprinkling on top of the mousse gives it a touch of fancy.

 

Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Avocado Salsa
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Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Avocado Salsa
Print Recipe
Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Ingredients
Roasted Pork Tenderloin
Pineapple Avocado Salsa
Adjust servings: servings
Units:
Instructions
Roasted Pork Tenderloin
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Brush roasting pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
  2. Mix minced garlic with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, brush all over the pork tenderloin. Sprinkle salt over pork tenderloin.
  3. Place in oven and roast 20 – 25 minutes until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 155°F.
  4. Remove from oven. Rest 5 – 8 minutes before slicing. Spoon Pineapple Avocado Salsa over the tenderloin to serve. Or serve the Pineapple Avocado salsa alongside.
Pineapple Avocado Salsa
  1. While the pork tenderloin is roasting, chop all ingredients, placing into a mixing bowl.
  2. Toss together, season with salt to taste.
  3. Place sliced pork tenderloin on a serving platter. Spoon Pineapple Avocado Salsa over the tenderloin and serve.
Recipe Notes

Love the contrast of spicy jalapeño (sometimes I use Serrano peppers for more spice) with sweet pineapple. But when cooking for family dinner or dinner guests that don’t eat spicy foods, I serve the chopped jalapeño (Serrano) on the side.

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Salmon and Greens over Beans

This originally happened by using leftovers. In my refrigerator I had leftover quinoa and grilled salmon and made it into a summertime dinner with arugula and tomatoes. It was so fresh and zesty, filling and tasty, a feast of color, flavor and texture that a friend asked me for the recipe.

I sometimes plan my weekly menu with grilled fish on the weekend and make sure to have extra to jumpstart a second meal for later in the week. Perfect for a quick summertime dinner or lunch. I use whatever leftover grains I have on hand (quinoa, brown rice, or barley).

Or skip the grains. it’s just as tasty and robust without. The beans, greens, onions make it nutrient-dense.

I’ve even made this with canned salmon.

This can be modified various ways:

  • Capers instead of olives
  • Celery instead of bell peppers
  • Mint instead of parsley (but using mixed greens rather than arugula)

It makes a nice luncheon for girlfriends. Serve with fresh baguette, goat cheese and Epicurious: Olive Tapenade on the side.

For dessert:

Mango Yogurt Mousse OR

Epicurious: Raspberry Buttermilk Cake

 

Salmon and Beans over Greens
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Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Salmon and Beans over Greens
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Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Ingredients
Adjust servings: servings
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Instructions
Salad Dressing
  1. Place lime juice, water, minced garlic and red pepper flakes in little bowl and mix with a fork until well blended. Mix in 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, whisking constantly with the fork. Add an additional tablespoon or two of extra virgin olive oil to adjust to taste.
Salmon and Beans
  1. Place quinoa in a medium saucepan over medium heat and toast, stirring occasionally until popping sounds begin. Add 1 cup water and bring to a boil. Immediately turn heat low, cover and cook quinoa 25 minutes. Remove from stovetop, uncover and cool.
  2. While the quinoa is cooking, chop red bell pepper, green onion, parsley, cut tomatoes in half and cut pitted olives into quarters. Mix in a large bowl. Add salmon and white beans, toss together.
  3. Add quinoa and toss just until combined. Drizzle with 3/4 of salad dressing and toss until again.
  4. Toss arugula with remaining dressing and spread on a platter.
  5. Spread the salmon and bean mix over the greens, leaving a green border.
  6. I used the leftovers to make wraps for lunch the next day, spreading a wheat tortilla with plain Greek yogurt. Yum.
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Kale Salad with Apricots and Nuts

The contrast of kale with the sweetness of apricots and crunch of the nuts makes this a memorable salad. No apricots or pine nuts? No problem! Use raisins, cranberries or dates instead and any other chopped nut (almond, walnut or sunflower/pumpkin seeds. You can also use spinach instead of kale.

Toss in some leftover cooked chicken and brown rice or quinoa and this can become a satisfying lunch or simple dinner.

Kale Salad with Apricots and Nuts
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Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Kale Salad with Apricots and Nuts
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Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Ingredients
Adjust servings: servings
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Instructions
  1. In a small bowl, whisk lime juice, green onion, honey, salt and pepper flakes. Slowly pour 1/3 cup olive oil in, mixing constantly with a fork or wire whisk. If too tart, add another tablespoon or two of olive oil. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Put sliced kale in a bowl and toss with salad dressing. Let sit 20 minutes.
  3. In a small skillet, toast pine nuts (or other nuts) over medium heat, tossing constantly, until color deepens, 2 to 3 minutes. Cool. If using other nuts, coarsely chop.
  4. Add nuts and apricot to kale. Toss.
  5. Can refrigerate for up to 1 day, or serve immediately.
Recipe Notes

Modified from http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Kale-Salad-with-Dates-Parmesan-and-Almonds-51137020#ixzz2PY7zf5Jw

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Pumpkin Shrimp Curry

“Curry Powder has a number of valuable health benefits, including the prevention of cancer, protection against heart disease, reduces Alzheimer’s disease symptoms, eases pain and inflammation, boosts bone health, and increases the liver’s ability to remove toxins from the body.”

Facts about Curry Powder

Pumpkin Shrimp Curry
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Simply yum. Make it vegan by using red lentils or garbanzo beans instead of shrimp. Or replace shrimp with chicken or even grass-fed beef tips. Onion, garlic, broccoli (or cauliflower) and pumpkin are super foods, loaded with nutrients—making this an immunity boosting dish. Curry and turmeric also have health benefits.
Pumpkin Shrimp Curry
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Simply yum. Make it vegan by using red lentils or garbanzo beans instead of shrimp. Or replace shrimp with chicken or even grass-fed beef tips. Onion, garlic, broccoli (or cauliflower) and pumpkin are super foods, loaded with nutrients—making this an immunity boosting dish. Curry and turmeric also have health benefits.
Ingredients
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Instructions
  1. Heat canola oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and ginger; sauté until soft, about 8 minutes. Add garlic; cook for 1 minute. Add curry, coriander, cumin and turmeric; cook, stirring 1 -2 minutes. Stir in plum tomato, pumpkin purée and vegetable broth; and cook about 5 minutes. 3. Add coconut milk, simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. 4. Add shrimp, broccoli, green beans and lime juice and cook over low heat until shrimp, broccoli, and green beans are cooked, about 10 minutes. 5. Add spinach and mix in, cooking an additional 3 – 5 minutes just until it is wilted.
  2. Serve over cooked rice. Top with chopped cilantro, and toasted pumpkin seeds (or chopped nuts) Serve chopped jalapeño or Serrano pepper on the side.
Recipe Notes

Modified from http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/printerfriendly/Pumpkin-Shrimp-Curry-368281" target="_blank">Epicurious: Pumpkin Shrimp Curry

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CMF Pad Thai Inspired

Pad Thai is noodle dish of stir-fried rice noodles with vegetables, peanuts, sprouts and a choice of meat.  One of the most well-known Thai dishes, it can be found at Thai restaurants around the world and roadside stands in Thailand. The balance of flavors and textures makes it so popular.

Thai food usually incorporates lemon grass, and kaffir lime leaves which are not in my staples so this is my adaptation.

I love the colors and nutrient-density of this meal, my families loves the flavors. It’s an excellent one-dish option on weeknights,  particularly if the vegges are prepped ahead of time.

Go vegan with tofu and/or edamame or add beef, shrimp, chicken or pork. I aim to include key nutrient-dense foods (Greens, beans, onions, nuts/seeds)

I’ve recently discovered black sesame seeds; they’re a whole unhulled variety often used in Asian cooking both for flavor and to create a color accent.

Health Benefits of Black Sesame Seeds

Variations

  • No bell peppers, no problem. Use green beans, broccoli, snap peas, whatever vegetables are on hand
  • Go vegan with tofu and (or) edamame
  • Use leftover chicken, pork or shrimp
  • Add shrimp, I usually have some in my freezer times when I need to make a quick dinner
CMF Pad Thai
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Servings
4
Servings
4
CMF Pad Thai
Print Recipe
Servings
4
Servings
4
Ingredients
Pad Thai
Peanut Sauce
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Units:
Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the noodles, reduce heat and cook for 7 to 10 minutes or until tender. Drain the noodles and rinse under cold water until they cool off. Set aside.
  2. Use a food processor or julienne mandolin (or a grater) slice carrot into thin strips and put in a bowl. Toss in sliced green onion.
  3. Cut the bell pepper into strips as thin as you can. Add to carrot bowl.
  4. Cut out the spine of the kale leaves and slice horizontally as thin as you can; should make about 1 cup. Add to carrot bowl.
  5. Toss pad Thai noodles and sesame seeds with vegetables until it is all combined.
  6. Place all lime juice, peanut butter, honey, tamari sauce, ginger and water in small food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
  7. Pour peanut sauce over pad Thai; toss until combined. Sprinkle black sesame seeds on top and serve.
Recipe Notes

A Color My Food original recipe

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