Tag: Honey

Dinners

Recipe—The Most Awesome Pork Tenderloin Ever

Diva di Cucina

I know what you are thinking, that is a pretty big name for a pork tenderloin recipe. But this recipe really did result in the best pork tenderloin I have ever had in my life! (And I have eaten pork tenderloins, prepared in many different ways in my lifetime.) The flavors from the marinade are incredible and they seem to seep their way into the meat, it was super moist since you cook the tenderloins right in the sauce, and it was cooked absolutely perfect. My husband and I could not get enough. We each ate over a half pound of pork and chowed down on the cold leftovers for lunch the next day. The flavors are sweet, tangy, and garlicky.  Awesome, awesome, and more awesome. If you are looking to mix things up in the kitchen I highly recommend you give this recipe a try. Your mind will be blown and your palette and belly happy.

INGREDIENTS
1 package of pork tenderloins (2–2.5 lbs), there should be two small tenderloins in the package
6 garlic cloves, sliced in half lengthwise
1/4 c soy sauce
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
4 tbsp honey
2 tbsp orange juice
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tsp pepper
3 tbsp olive oil

STEPS

  • Preheat your oven to 350º.
  • Spray an 11” x 17” baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Use a sharp knife to poke 6 holes along the topside of each of the tenderloins going about an inch deep.
  • Push a sliver of garlic into each hole and place the tenderloins in the baking dish.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the soy sauce, mustard, honey, juice, rosemary, pepper, and olive oil.
  • Pour the marinade over the tenderloins.
  • Bake uncovered for 45 minutes basting every 7–10 minutes. This gives the tenderloins a delicious glaze over the top.
  • Transfer the tenderloins to a large cutting board and allow them to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
  • Thinly slice the tenderloins and transfer to a serving dish or plates.
  • Drizzle the marinade from the pan over the sliced pork medallions and enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Lick the Bowl Good.

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Dinners

Recipe—Honey Spice Glazed Pork Chops

Diva di Cucina

There is just something ultra tasty about a nice cut of tender pork in a savory sweet sauce. This recipe is so incredibly quick and easy that it is the perfect dinner on a work night and yet still classy enough for a dinner party. All the spices give the sauce a nice little pop. This dinner is perfect for everyone in the family. Even the pickiest of eaters will love the sweet flavor of the sauce. My three year old ate almost an entire pork chop. This sauce is also great with a ham steak or chicken breast, heck it would be good on a piece of leather! Try this honey glazed pork chop tonight, the whole family will be begging for more.

INGREDIENTS
1/2 c honey
4 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
3 tbsp olive oil
4 boneless thick cut pork chops (or 6–8 think cut)
salt and pepper

STEPS
Note: If using thin cut pork chops, cooking time will need to be adjusted since they will cook much quicker.

  • In a bowl mix together the honey, mustard, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
  • Season the pork chops with salt and pepper.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the pork chops and cook for 3 minutes per side.
  • Pour the honey mustard sauce over the pork chops and cook for an additional 10–12 minutes or until cooked through flipping the chops halfway through.
  • Transfer the pork chops to a plate and spoon the sauce over the chops.
Side Dishes

Recipe—Sweet Glazed Carrots

Diva di Cucina

I am a lover of all things carrot. Just not when they are steamed all on their lonesome. If I am eating cooked carrots I want them to have some pizzazz. This is by far my favorite way to enjoy cooked carrots, covered in a sweet and buttery glaze. So good! These are very simple, and in fact you probably already have all the ingredients on hand. These take less than 10 minutes and are a fabulous addition to any dinner.

Note: This recipe is intended to be prepared with petite carrots but I have made it with both carrot sticks and baby carrots and had equally great results. They petite carrots just make for the nicest presentation. I had whole carrots on hand so that’s what you see in the photo.

INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp honey
2 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp butter
2 tsp white vinegar
salt
5 large carrots, cut in half lengthwise and then quarters (See above note for a variety of carrots that can be used.)

STEPS

  • In a large sauté pan combine the honey, vanilla, butter, vinegar, and salt.
  • Heat over medium-high heat.
  • Once the butter is melted whisk the glaze until well combined.
  • Add in the carrots.
  • Cook until the majority of the liquid is gone and the carrots are fork tender, about 8–10 minutes, making sure to stir occasionally.
Dinners

Recipe—Honey Pecan Crusted Salmon

Diva di Cucina

I remember when I was younger going to a restaurant with my dad and ordering the honey pecan crusted salmon. It was one of those dishes you never forget. It was unlike anything I had ever had before. The pecan crust brings a wonderful texture to the salmon filet, just the right amount of crunch. And that nutty pecan flavor with the sweet honey mustard glaze turns the ordinary salmon filet into something truly wonderful. While this dish may look more complex it actually is a really easy way to prepare salmon. Between prep and baking you are looking at no more than 30 minutes. Thirty minutes for a spectacular dinner, you can’t beat that! I served this with a really simple salad of butter leaf lettuce and red onions and some honey mustard dressing. It was really light and the simple salad was a perfect complement to the savory fish. Even if your family members aren’t big fish fans I’m sure they will love this.

INGREDIENTS
2 salmon filets
salt and pepper
paprika
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 c pecans, finely chopped
1/4 c fresh parsley chopped

STEPS

  • Preheat oven to 400º.
  • Rinse off your fish filets and pat dry.
  • Season your filets with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  • Place skin side down on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
  • Whisk together the mustard, honey, butter, and Worcestershire.
  • In a small bowl combine the pecans and parsley.
  • Spoon a tablespoon worth of the sauce in with the nuts and stir to combine.
  • Brush the remaining sauce onto the salmon filets.
  • Press the sticky pecan mixture to the top of your salmon filets.
  • Place the baking sheet in the oven and cook for 15–18 minutes or until the thickest part of the fish flakes off when tested with a fork.