The start of the school year feels like moving to another planet to me. It demands military type precision to keep my household fluid and well fed. The meal protocol includes school lunches for two kids, lunch for one working husband, substantial snacks to interleave between school and multiple athletic activities, as well as dinner that has to be ready pretty promptly once we cross the threshold home. It always seems to demand my best professional project management skills coupled with high level culinary strategic planning.
Creative inspiration does not always step up to meet the tactics so when I was asked to contribute to a Back to School Cookbook for Foodie.com, I was thrilled. To be a contributor yes, but selfishly to have access to a bevy of fabulous recipes from handpicked, proven food bloggers from all dining genres. Our mission was to develop two original recipes that could be prepared in less than an hour, containing no more than 10 ingredients; exactly how I like to cook myself on a school night.
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A quick note about side dishes. Quinoa is a highly underused grain. It cooks in about 20 minutes and is a complete protein. The taste is mild and the texture soft like rice when cooked. It is very easy to cook while the pork tenderloin is baking. Add a simple seasonal salad and you have a beautiful, well balanced, delicious plate.
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I need simple, healthy flavorful recipes I can prepare under the highly distracted conditions of running after school interference and answering homework questions on the fly. Pork Tenderloin is always a sure bet; it’s easy to set into a marinade the night before, and then bake quickly and effortlessly for dinner when needed.
The recipe I developed for Peanut-Encrusted Asian Pork Tenderloin is marinated over night, rolled in peanuts and baked for a unique and delicious twist both kids and adults love!
PEANUT-ENCRUSTED ASIAN PORK TENDERLOIN
If making this recipe with Tamari instead of soy sauce it becomes gluten free as well as soy free. If you wish to make a larger meal Boneless Pork Roast can be substituted for 2-3 tenderloins; adjust baking time for the roast’s weight accordingly to reach and internal temperature of 160 degrees.
Serves: 4-6
Time: Prep: 15 minutes Marinate: overnight Cook: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
· 1 shallot, peeled and rough chopped
· 1 garlic clove (large), peeled and rough chopped
· 1-1inch piece of ginger, peeled and rough chopped
· 2 tablespoons Tamari or Soy Sauce
· ¼ cup brown sugar
· 1/3 cup vegetable oil
· 2 medium Pork Tenderloins
· 1 ½ cup roasted unsalted peanuts
1. The night prior to cooking, combine the shallot, garlic, ginger, tamari or soy sauce brown sugar and vegetable oil in a small bowl. Whisk to combine. Pour into a gallon size zip top plastic bag.
2. Add the pork tenderloins to the marinade; seal the zip top bag squeezing most of the air out before fully sealing. Move and massage the storage bag to ensure the pork is fully covered by the marinade. Place in the refrigerator overnight.
3. When ready to cook, preheat oven to 350 degrees and select a shallow baking dish that will fit the two pork tenderloins.
4. Place peanuts into a food processor, electric chopper or blender, and process until the peanuts are chopped into small bits. If too small they do not add the crunchy texture and too large they won’t adhere well to the pork (refer to preparation photo).
5. On a baking sheet, pour a lengthwise strip of peanuts. Remove the pork tenderloin from marinade (leaving any garlic, ginger or shallot in the bag; discard the marindade) and place onto the peanuts. Gently roll the pork in the peanuts to fully cover. Discard any remaining peanuts used in the rolling.
6. Place the pork tenderloins into the baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees internally. The pork will continue to cook once removed from the oven so remove by 35 minutes and check temperature. Let the meat rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
You must check out the cookbook in total (click here)! It is a beautifully done, online cookbook capturing wonderful recipes for Main dishes, Side dishes, Snacks and Desserts. I feel certain you’ll love looking at it as well as the fantastic quick, simple recipes!
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Since I so rarely put photos of myself on my blog I’ll share my headshot for the cookbook. Toni Dash, Boulder Locavore
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Connie says
The picture is wonderful. I love a good pork tenderloin recipe. This one sounds perfect.
Toni ( Boulder Locavore) says
Thank you Connie! It is actually in the oven right now! Nothing better than coming up with a recipe that doesn't feel dumbed down for kids and having kids beg to make it again. Hope you'll try it!
ping says
Oooohhh … congratulations, Toni! I can now boast that I now know another celebrity! I must check out the book. The tenderloin looks delicious and I like that it's so simple to make.
Toni (Boulder Locavore) says
Ping you are too funny! The recipe is simple and delicious; I'm not so sure I truly am a 'celebrity'…..just a mom with a good pork tenderloin recipe!
motherrimmy says
Congratulations! I have a pork tenderloin sitting in the freezer just waiting for this delicious recipe!
Toni (Boulder Locavore) says
Thank Mother Rimmy! Very kind of you. Hope you will try it and enjoy it as much as my family has!
Kitchen Riffs says
Congrats! That's quite an honor. And we're all honored that you shared this recipe with us – it's terrific! Pork loin is so versatile, and I think it marries so well with Asian flavors. Good stuff – thank so much.
Toni (Boulder Locavore) says
You are too kind! Always happy to pass along things like this that make life a bit better. Will share the second recipe next week!
Cooking with Michele says
Since I get a hog from my organic CSA farm, I never get a tenderloin cut (it's cut into the various other chops and cuts they give me) so I can't recall the last time I made a pork tenderloin. But I do have some roasts left from last year's pig and I'm guessing the flavors will still carry well. PS: Nice to see your smiling face here and hope life is settling down a bit with the kids back in school!
Toni (Boulder Locavore) says
I envy you a meat CSA. I love getting food from farms and having that drive what I make! For this 'mission' this seemed a good, versatile cut that is easy to prepare flavorfully. Now if only I can dream up several more for the school night rotation! We are not yet in the settling down phase; after school sports have just begun which serves to finely hone my dinner prep repetoire and timing! Hope you are feeling better Michele.
Lizzy Do says
Toni, it's so wonderful to put a beautiful face to your name 🙂 And what an honor to be featured in this cookbook! Despite not having kids doing homework after school anymore, I still appreciate a delicious, quick and easy dinner recipe! THANKS!
Toni (Boulder Locavore) says
You are so sweet Lizzy! Being the family photog has really excluded me from the vast majority of pic's I'm afraid and some of those taken on the sly by my not-so-little ones are certainly nothing I'd want on the internet!
I was very excited to be asked to contribute to the cookbook. Always love a chance to get the creative juices going. We had this again last night and I was reminded about how much I love these flavors and the absence of effort to prepare it!
First Time Commenter says
Greetings! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I genuinely enjoy reading through your blog
posts. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that cover the same subjects?
Thanks for your time!
Toni (Boulder Locavore) says
Welcome and I'm so glad you have visited! If you could let me know more about what you are seeking I'd be happy to direct to more like this. There are a number of talented food bloggers I'm sure you'd enjoy.
Connie Findley says
Love the tenderloin recipe. Love your headshot even more!
Toni @ Boulder Locavore says
Thanks Connie on both counts. You know the photog for the headshot. He's short and related to me!
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
Congrats on the cookbook Toni! And I love that it's on-line. This tenderloin looks really really good. I agree, tenderloin is a great “quick fix” if you plan ahead.
Toni @ Boulder Locavore says
I agree on the online part Lea Ann. I was just looking for some juicing recipes and sound myself revolted by the idea of adding one more book to our already burgeoning library! I love a good cookbook but find I'm making the break unless they are really special and going online. Hope you'll have a great weekend!
Debra says
Cudos! Both on the cookbook contribution and that fabulous looking recipe!
PolaM says
Congrats! This recipe totally deserves being featured: it is simple and I bet it tastes great!