Pork Piccata

Hubs has been taking over the kitchen lately, so sorry about the lack in blog posts. With thanksgiving last week, my schedule got thrown off and I didn't really realize I hadn't cooked in a while. I am back in the kitchen today. Hubs was wanting pork the other night and I just wasn't in the mood, so now I feel bad and wanted to cook tenderloin for him. However, I also wanted to keep it simple. What is more simple than a one pot dish? Okay well you technically need two because I serve it over brown rice, but you get the idea.

I love this recipe because it has just a few ingredients, yet has lots of flavor. I feel like this is one of those recipes that seems like you have lots of skills in the kitchen, but really its pretty simple.

Okay enough blabber, lets move on to today's recipe. 

Printable Recipe here!

Pan Seared Pork Tenderloin

GF/DF

Ingredients:

3 T all purpose flour (GF works fine)

1 t salt

1 T dry mustard

1/4 t black pepper

2 cups fresh brussels sprouts

about a 1 pound pork tenderloin

2 T extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 C chicken broth

1/2 cup water

1 1/2 - 2 cups cooked brown rice

What to do:

In a small bowl, mix the first 4 ingredients together well.

Wash, trim the ends, and slice your brussels in half.

Remove any dark green outer leaves.

Trim an excess fat off the pork tenderloin.

Slice tenderloin into 1 inch medallions. 

Cover both sides of the pork medallions with the dry ingredient mixture.

Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large, deep skillet. Swirl the pan to make sure the oil covers the entire pan.

Place pork medallions into the hot skillet.

Sear the meat, about one minute per side. 

Once all medallions are flipped, add in your brussels sprouts.

Pour your chicken broth and water into the hot skillet with the meat and vegetables.

Lower the heat, cover, and allow to simmer for about 30 minutes. Watch the mixture as you may have to add a little more chicken broth to keep the pain from drying out.

Serve over brown rice and you have dinner!

Thanks Y'all!

-Wise Wife 

Italian Pasta Soup

I know I have been on a soup/ stew kick lately, but I just can't help it. This time of year just screams for delicious one pot meals and when done right, a one pot meal can be a healthy and balanced meal option. This recipe is a good one for those that "swear they can't cook." You can make this soup and wow your family and friends!

This meal can be gluten free if the right ingredient choices are made. This recipe does have pasta, so just grab your favorite GF pasta. I opted for a whole wheat bow tie pasta. Don't choose a spaghetti type pasta. Opt for a smaller, thicker pasta. Also, check ingredients on your sausage for traces of gluten.

My favorite packaged tomato produces are made by Muir Glen Organic. Their cans are all BPA free and state gluten free right there on the label. They don't add in unnecessary ingredients as fillers. If you can't jar your own, Muir Glen Organic is the next best thing. 

Hubs opted to add some mozzarella cheese on top which looked delicious! Some days I so wish I could enjoy cheese on top of things. Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

Printable Recipe Here!

Italian Pasta Soup

DF

Ingredients:

1/4 cup chopped basil

about 1 1/4 lb Italian sausage, casings removed (I used turkey sausage)

1 14 oz can fire roasted tomatoes

 15 oz can tomato sauce 

1/2, 6 oz can tomato paste

3/4 T dried Italian seasoning 

32 oz low sodium chicken broth

1/2 t onion powder

1/2 t freshly ground black pepper

8 oz your favorite pasta

What to do:

Chop your basil.

In a large dutch oven or pot, brown your sausage until almost completely cooked through.  If your sausage is sticking a bit too much, add a splash of your chicken broth.

Add in fire roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, onion power, salt, and pepper. Include juices from fire roasted tomatoes.

Stir it all together. 

Pour in your chicken broth and stir one more time.

Bring the mixture up to a boil and allow to cook for 10 minutes.

Add in your pasta of choice and allow to cook until al dente (check box for cooking times).

That's it! Top your soup with the chopped basil and parmesan or mozzarella cheese (if you're one of the lucky ones) and grab a spoon!

Thanks Y'all!

Wise Wife

One Pot Sausage and Broccoli Pasta

And here we are again. Back to an easy one pot meal that is delicious. Some may say its lazy, but I say it is convenient. One pot means less dishes to wash, less time standing in front of the stove, and more time with your loved ones. 

Don't get me wrong, I love meals that take me all day to cook because you can truly taste the love in every bite. However, this one pot meal has tons of flavor and only takes about 30 minutes to make. Trust me, your family will love you just as much! 

For this recipe, I use all natural chicken sausage made my al fresco. I absolutely love this brand and it is gluten free!! They make several different flavors that you can check out here! They even have a recipe section on their site.

Why chicken sausage you may ask? It has tons of flavor and is better for you than traditional pork sausage. Don't worry, I love pork sausage too, but for this meal I wanted to keep it light, fresh, and healthy!

PS, I had salt and pepper on my ingredient list and then later I decided that the dish didn't even need it so I omitted!

Printable Recipe Here

One Pot Sausage and Broccoli Pasta

GF/DF

Ingredients:

3-4 T olive oil

1 head fresh broccoli

about 12 oz Italian chicken sausage

2 cloves garlic

1/8 t cayenne pepper
4 cups low sodium chicken broth

2 cups GF, quinoa shells pasta 

1 lemon, zest and juice 

GF bread crumbs, optional

What to do:

If your chicken sausage came in a casing, remove this part. The easiest way is to cut the tip off the sausage and easily peel and remove the casing.

Wash your broccoli.

Remove florets from the stem and then roughly chop your florets.

Mince your garlic.

Heat 1 T olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat and add in the sausage.

 Using a wooden spoon, break up the sausage into bite sized pieces and allow to cook for about 4 minutes.

Remove the sausage and set aside. 

Add your chopped broccoli into the same skillet you used to cook your sausage. You may have to add in additional olive oil

Allow to sauté for about 3 minutes.

Remove from skillet and set aside with your sausage.

Add your garlic into the same skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds.

Add in broth and cayenne pepper, scraping the pan to remove any brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.

Bring the broth to a simmer.

Add in your pasta, stir, and cover. Allow to simmer for 5-7 minutes and the pasta is almost done.

Add your sausage and broccoli back into the skillet with the pasta.

Give it a stir and continue to cook until the pasta is done. 

Remove from heat and add in your lemon juice and zest.

Stir all together and top each serving with a sprinkle of bread crumbs. Hubs added a little parmesan to the top :)

Thanks Y'all!

-Wise Wife