32: Buffalo Pork Tenderloin

Will and I love spicy food, so when I saw this recipe I knew I wanted to try my own version of Buffalo Pork Tenderloin.

Ingredients:

1 package lean pork tenderloin
Frank's buffalo sauce
Merrilily's High Five Barbeque Sauce or your favorite hot sauce
Other BBQ Sauce (to taste)
Dash of paprika
Dash of cayenne pepper
Dash Fiery Montreal Seasoning
S&P



The How To:
Preheat oven to 405
Cover the pork with the above mixture
Cook for an hour or until the pork is about 170 degrees

Let the meat sit for about 5 minutes before cutting then cut and enjoy! 

I served this with broccoli and a quinoa salad

I was expecting this dish to be really spicy since the sauces I used are pretty hot.  But it really ended up pretty mild.  Next time I would add more sauce to heat it up a bit.  But regardless, Will really enjoyed it.  So, this dish is Will approved! 

31: Avocado, Swiss, Arugula, and Goat Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

What could you think of that would go better with Tomato Gazpacho than a grilled cheese sandwich?  Exactly -- an Avocado, Swiss, Arugula, and Goat Grilled Cheese Sandwich! This recipe was inspired by this Green Goddess Grilled Cheese.

Ingredients:

Wheat bread
Basil pesto spread
Swiss cheese
Arugula
Avocado - thinly sliced
Goat cheese
Olive Oil

The How To:
Get two slices of bread for each sandwich 
Spread about 1 tbsp pesto sauce (to taste) on the top and bottom of both pieces of bread
Add 1 slice of swiss cheese, avocado, arugula, goat cheese and top with second slice of bread
Heat olive oil (or butter) in a frying pan over medium/low heat
Add the sandwich and cook until golden brown - press down on the sandwich and flip until the other side is golden brown

Serve warm.

Will was not expecting much with this meal, but ended up really enjoying it.  So I am pleased to announce that this meal is Will approved! 

30: Spicy Tomato Gazpacho

Last week I went to McCormick and Schmicks and had a special tomato gazpacho.  It was so delicious that I have been searching for a recipe to try out.  This is the one that I decided to start with.

Ingredients:

5 tomatoes
1 tbsp garlic
1/2 tsp cumin
1  tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp diced jalapenos
1 tsp cilantro*
1/2 large cucumber 
olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder*
S&P
avacado

*not pictured

The How To:
If you don't have a magic bullet (this kind) you should get one. I LOVE mine.
Cut two large slices of cucumber and place aside

Grind 4 tomatoes until they are liquid
Then add all ingredients except the olive oil
Add S&P to taste
Dice the 2 large cucumber slices and 1 tomato and add to the mix
Refrigerate a couple of hours (if you have time) before serving
Serve with avocado slices on top

Will was very skeptical about this dish.  He is not even half the tomato fan that I am.  I really think that I could live off of tomatoes.  But, Will ended up really liking this dish, so..... this dish is Will approved! 

 This is what happens when I forget to take the picture at the table... 

And yes, I served this dish with #31 - Avocado, Swiss, Arugula, and Goat Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

29: Summer Salmon

Will and I both love seafood and I am always looking for new dishes to make.  I ran across this recipe and then modified it a bit.  This is a great summer dish and I just know I'll be making it again.

Ingredients: 

1 lb salmon
olive oil
S&P
1 diced cucumber 
1 tbsp diced jalapeno
few mint leaves, minced*
1/2 lime - squeezed
1 diced avocado*

*not pictured

The How To:

Preheat oven to 500.

Place fish skin down on a foil lined baking sheet
Rub fish with olive oil and sprinkle some sea salt
Reduce temp to 275 and cook fish on the lowest rack for about 9 minutes
For the topping - mix together cucumber, avocado, lime juice and serve over the top of the salmon

Needless to say this dish was awesome and it was Will approved.  I served it with a cucumber, avocado, lime orzo dish.