quick turkey gravy

 

Directions:

1. Add water.
2. Stir on stove.

roasted potatoes

I've always really loved potatoes, but for some reason I have always been really underwhelmed by roasting them.  They were never flavorful enough, or too mushy, or there wasn't enough cheese.  However, potatoes are relatively inexpensive and I thought that I would try a roasted potato recipe to go along with my slow-cooked pork loin from the entry below.  I was really determined to have a wholesome home-cooked meal.  I was also incredibly hungry, so I didn't take any photos.  The picture below is an extremely accurate representation of what my potatoes looked like before roasting.

Image from Lovin' From the Oven

One of the great things about cooking for myself is that I am completely in charge of how I prepare my food.  Sure, this is kind of a drawback sometimes like when I turn pancakes into burnt pucks or perhaps burn myself with flying grease but I'm feeling optimistic today.  So, you know what?  I don't like my potatoes mushy: cook them longer.  I don't like them bland: add more garlic and salt.  I got my love of cheese from my Dad: add more cheese.  Always add more cheese.

Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
Adapted from: Lovin' From the Oven


Ingredients

• 4 medium potatoes, rinsed and diced
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• pinch of salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 4-6 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
• 2-3 tsp shredded parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Pour the potatoes into a baking dish.
3. Drizzle olive oil on top of the potatoes. Sprinkle the rest of the seasonings on top. Use a large spoon to evenly coat all of the potatoes.
4. Bake for 45 minutes, making sure to move the pieces around every 15 minutes.

slow cooker pork loin

I am scared of both my slow cooker and large/expensive cuts of meat that I've never used before.  I was recently introduced to a chain of grocery stores (Market Basket) that I had previously avoided due to local horror stories and one ill-fated trip that ended up with me sewing my vagina shut and vowing (again) never to have children or to go anywhere where children are permitted to be present.  I was going to say "I don't know how you parents do it" but if my trip to the Somerville Market Basket is any indication, "do it" means "let your children roam free and screaming through a busy grocery store."  Also, I hate you.

But I digress.  I went to the Burlington Market Basket late one night and was escorted through the bakery section, eyes lit-up.  That there was enough to convince me to change my grocery store allegiance from Stop & Shop.  Imagine my delight when I found my long-lost favorite cereal just hanging out on the shelves waiting to be purchased.  Here, I will help you out so that you don't need to imagine: I immediately grabbed two boxes, clutched them to my chest, grabbed the arm of the person I was with, and possibly yelled "I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS FOR YEARS!"

Uh... but I digress again.  The moral of the story is that prices are very low here and it's worth the 15 minute drive versus the 5 minute walk to Stop & Shop.  I've been doing my weekly shopping here and recently purchased a five and a half pound pork loin on a whim.  $12 seemed like a very reasonable price for so much meat.  I often ignore the fact that I live alone when I grocery shop and go hog wild (ha ha) on things that are on sale.  I was smart this time and sawed that baby in two and froze half of it when I got home.

I decided to use my slow cooker that I got for Christmas last year (and have only used once, mostly out of fear) so I looked up a recipe.  I have modified the recipe for future cooking, as it didn't really come out perfect.  Also, there aren't too many pictures because meat is kind of gross looking.

Slow Cooker Pork Loin
Adapted from AllRecipes

Ingredients:

• 2.5lb pork loin, not trimmed
• 1 envelope dry onion soup mix
• 1 cup water
• 3/4c red wine (I used pinot noir because that's all I had)
• 3tbsp minced garlic
• pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Put everything in the slow cooker.  Place the meat in fatty side up.
2. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours.
3. Check after 3 hours.  If pork has reached 145 degrees, you may take out.  If not, cook until it has reached 145.