Now that summer is right around the corner and I’m spending more time in the kitchen, I’m trying to mix up my dinners to try some summer-appropriate recipes that won’t make my apartment too much of a hotbox.
And because the last two weeks were crazy, I took the long Memorial Day weekend as a time to do the following: cook, relax, clean and get my closet organized. Fun!
Actually it was. And I decided to make two recipes to get me back in the kitchen and keep those cooking skills sharp.
I made pizza again (similar to this one) and it turned out really well.
Silly me took a pre-oven instead of post-oven photo. Oops.
Fact: Homemade pizza is definitely starting to become one of my favorite things to make.
Then I made my kitchen adventure for this week, which sounded incredible: Pork Tenderloin with Fresh Mango Salsa from Cooking Light. Right now, I’m loving all sorts of summer salsas and despite not being a huge mango fan, I’m willing to give it a try!
Plus, I’ve never cooked with pork, so it’s two adventures in one.
Here’s how it turned out and the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 (1-pound) pork tenderloins, trimmed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups diced peeled mango (about 2 large)
- 1 teaspoon grated orange rind
- 3 tablespoons diagonally sliced green onions
- 2 teaspoons grated peeled fresh ginger
- 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Preparation:
Cut each tenderloin crosswise into 8 pieces. Place plastic wrap over pork; pound to an even thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of pork; cook 3 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from pan; repeat procedure with remaining pork.
Combine mango and next 6 ingredients (mango through cardamom) in a bowl, stir and serve.
Verdict: Yummy, light and flavorful
I really liked this dish. The pork was tender and juicy and the salsa was light but had a nice citrus flavor. I excluded the cardamom and coriander because I couldn’t find it but added in red onion and parsley flakes and I still thought it tasted great. The OJ really added a lot too! I was a little bummed the pork didn’t brown as much as I hoped, but it was still tasty.
What are some of your favorite summer foods? How was your long weekend?
New movie review: Sex and the City 2. Can the girls keep the magic alive?
About the title Weekend kitchen adventures: Summer recipes! Everyday Adventures (of Me in the City) — Chicago, IL, it kind of surprised me for a while but finally I get what you’re saying. I’ve been wondering the same sort of stuff at my blog http://sjamessmith.livejournal.com. I’d greatly appreciate your input on what I talk about. Lee Jurs
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Sounds yummy! I’ve never really had mango before.
Confession: I’ve never cooked with pork before either.
Homemade pizzas, however, are delightful!
Homemade pizza is *heaven* – if you’re not using a pizza stone I would really recommend buying one, they’re maybe $15 and are fantastic! =)
WOW this food looks amazing. Come over and cook for me? k thnx!
holy crap woman, come cook me some pizza please! pretty please? with pepperonis on top? :)
Ummm, that pizza looks super tasty. You should make me one. :)
That pizza looks so good! I’ve never tried to make my own, but I really should one of these days!
I had almost four days off and they were glorious! As for summer foods, I love hot Italian sausages on the grill, guacamole, any kind of ice cream and blackberry crumb bars.
Nom Nom Nom!!
That pizza looks delish!!
love that you’re jumping on the cooking bandwagon, ESP with the homemade pizza. I’m addicted :)
If you’re looking for good summer recipes, try these–to die for, I promise! http://www.thesweetslife.com/2010/05/grilled-fattoush.html and http://www.thesweetslife.com/2010/04/panzanella-caprese.html
Both of those look delicious! Every time I cook pork it turns into rubber. I can never get it right, so I just sort of gave up.
I am always looking for new recipes to try in order to avoid eating out. That homemade pizza looks super good, so I will definitely consider trying that out!
I don’t eat pork anymore, but those tenderloins do look pretty tasty. :)
Both recipes look delicious! I’m not a huge fan of pork but the mango salsa sounds great. In the summers I love all the fresh fruit available. I’ve basically lived off of strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, and watermelon.