Ginger Sesame Pork

lightly adapted from simplyrecipes.com

• 1 to 1 1/4 pound pork tenderloin, trimmed of silver-skin
• 1 inch piece peeled ginger root, finely grated
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped (or 1.5 tsp minced garlic)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (use gluten-free soy sauce if cooking gluten-free)
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1/3 cup minced green onions
• 2 Tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

1 Put the ginger and garlic in a bowl. Add the soy sauce, brown sugar, green onions, seasoned rice wine vinegar, olive oil and sesame oil. Stir to combine. 

2 Place pork tenderloin into a marinating bag or bowl and cover with the marinade. Marinate for an hour.

3 Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pour 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil in a large oven safe pan. Over medium-high heat heat oil then add the meat (reserve the marinade in the bag or bowl). Brown meat on all sides. Remove the pan from the stove. Pour in the marinade and place the pan in the preheated oven. Cook for 10-40 minutes, depending on the thickness of your meat. Internal temperature should be 140 degrees.  

4 Let rest about 10 minutes before slicing.

The pork I had on hand was a pork sirloin roast. I cut that into smaller pieces and it worked out. But I did need to cook it for longer than a smaller tenderloin. That is why I put the huge 30 minute window for cooking the meat. It really depends on the cut and thickness of the meat you have.

Husband rating: 4.5 stars

Boys say: thumbs up

Caramelized Baked Chicken

adapted from allrecipes.com, submitted by Sandy

3 pounds chicken wings, thighs or boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup soy sauce*
3/4 cup ketchup
3/4 cup honey
2 tsp minced garlic
dash crushed red pepper flakes

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F for meat with bone in. For boneless chicken breasts preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place chicken in a 9x13 inch baking dish. In a saucepan mix together the oil, soy sauce, ketchup, honey, garlic and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 8 minutes. Pour over the chicken.

For wings or thighs bake in preheated oven for one hour, or until sauce is caramelized. For chicken breasts bake for about 40 minutes.

Husband rating: 4 stars

Boys say: thumbs up (even my pickiest eater loved this-score one for mom!)

*for gluten free version substitute gluten free soy sauce

Sweet Chili Lime Chicken

I made this for company last week. When company is over I often forget to take a picture! Since we liked this recipe I'll be making it again soon and taking pictures for the blog!

with a few changes from allrecipes.com, submitted by Grumpy's Honeybunch

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into thin strips
1 tsp minced garlic
6 tablespoons soy sauce*
6 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more to taste
1 lime, juiced and zested
1/3 cup chopped cilantro or green onions
4 wedges lime for garnish

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir chicken breast strips in the hot oil until the juices run clear and chicken is no longer pink inside, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet.

Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, lime juice, and lime zest in a bowl, stirring to dissolve sugar. Pour sauce into hot skillet, bring to a boil, and reduce heat to low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce begins to reduce slightly, 3 to 4 minutes. 

Mix cooked chicken into sauce and cook until sauce forms a glaze on chicken pieces, about 2 to 3 more minutes, stirring often. Serve over rice or couscous and garnish with cilantro or green onions and lime wedge.

*Substitute gluten free soy sauce to make this a gluten free dinner.

Husband rating: 4 stars

Boys say: thumbs up