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Kitchen Confidential: Tenderloin with Plum Chutney Recipe Review

February 28, 2009 By JJ

I’m updating this post in order to share with my friends over at Tasty Tuesday! This was one of my recent favorites and I’m planning to make it again VERY soon!!!

It’s time for another recipe review…and this time, because it WASN’T a holiday, I went to my old pal Weight Watchers for some inspiration. Those of you in the program, will appreciate the points-friendly meal. Those of you NOT in the program will appreciate the killer goodness of the eats. Either way, the recipe came from the book, Meals in Minutes (pg 80). WW friends, this was a 5-pointer.

Let’s hear it for Pork Tenderloin with Plum Chutney!!!

As always, I began with my most important ingredient!

Ah ha – the cast of characters.

Begin with adding your apple cider vinegar, dry mustard, and brown sugar and bring to a boil.

Idiot’s note: Then reread the directions and see that they’ve called for a skillet, not a pot.

Once you’re ingredients form a syrup-y substance, add in your plums. Let them simmer until they’re soft and delightful…how will you know that they’re delightful? It’s easy, their manners and dispositions will improve.

Meanwhile, as your plum chutney congeals, blend your italian bread crumbs and pine nuts together.

At this time, you may be ready for another glass of vino. But hey, go at your own pace. This is NOT the place for peer pressure. I’m just tellin ya what I did!
Next, coat your tenderloin in mustard, then roll that bad boy around in your bread crumb/pine nut concoction. I didn’t post pictures of that process because it was kinda dirty…and this is a family show.

As you’re baking your tenderloin, take your plum chutney off the burner and set aside so it chills out. (It’s likely become a little stuck up due to the delightful comments above.)

After about 25 minutes in the oven (at 425), take your tenderloin out and test the temperature. If she’s a burnin up at about 160 degrees, she’s done…if not, throw her back in for a few.

Once it’s all done, serve with rice pilaf and crescent rolls, or whatevs. Either way, you’ll love your tenderloin and plum chutney. I did! It was quick, easy,
and had a very limited prep time!

PS – that may or may not be my third glass of wine.

Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
2 scallions, sliced
3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1/2 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
5 ripe plums, pitted and cut into 1-inch chunks
3 tablespoons Italian-style bread crumbs
1 tablespoon pine nuts
1 (3/4-pound) pork tenderloin, trimmed of all visable fat
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Bring the vinegar, scallions, brown sugar, ginger, and dry mustard to a boil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Boil to forma syrup, 4-5 minutes. Stir in the plums, reduce the heat to low, and cook until the plums are soft and well glazed, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool.
2. Meanwhile, combine the bread crumbs and pine nutes in a food processor or blender and gind to a fine consistency. Transfer the mixture to a plate. Rub the tenderloin all over with the Dijon mustard, then roll in the bead crumb mixture to coat and set in a baking dish. Roast until the pork reaches and internal temp of 160 degrees, 20-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with the chutney on the side.
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PhotoFANatic Friday featuring David Jay

February 27, 2009 By JJ

Today begins a new feature for the BLAH BLAH BLAHger…it’s PhotoFANatic Friday!

Many of you know that I LOVE weddings. Maybe it was because I had a fairytale experience at one when I was 12 and was subsequently given a BRIDE magazine subscription by my mom as a gift to dream and play make-believe with… Maybe it’s because I’ve witnessed numerous friends find, fall in love with, and marry their best friends in beautiful ways… Maybe it’s because I’ve been in 12 weddings and have helped friends and family plan countless others. As a single gal, I never get crabby about celebrating another wedding…but that could have something to do with the promise of an open bar – KIDDING!

Anyhoooo, as I’ve become more and more enamored with weddings, I’ve found two passions – two things that really make my mouth water: gorgeous gowns and dazzling photos. About five years ago, I started paying copious attention to the photographers at weddings and started looking them up to see more of their work. In 2004 or 2005, I found David Jay, and thus began my career as a blogstalker!

David Jay (DJ) is my #1 BLOG CRUSH! He’s one of the premiere wedding photographers in the world and I’m so excited to have him as my first PhotoFANatic feature! He took the wedding industry by storm and is now internationally recognized for his work and the way he’s revolutionized the way images are displayed through his “Show-It” sites and slideshows. He also did a nation-wide tour this year where he travelled to 20 cities giving other professionals and budding photographers his insight and tips.

As a photographer, his photos are dreamy and romantic, bright and clear, elegant and sassy. AND, he’s a genuinely nice guy who wears his heart on his sleeve and shines for the Lord. He went to Westmont College – a Christian school up in Santa Barbara – and still lives in that area where he regularly connects with other photographers and headquarters his business, even when he’s traveling the world.

I’m sad that God hasn’t brought me Mr. Right, yet, because even though I’ve been following DJ’s work for years, he’s skyrocketed out of my price-range. But perhaps because of him, I’ve found my love for photography and have been encouraged to take it up! Thank you DJ for inspiring me and countless others with your talent, teaching, and how you share your heart with every photo!

And now on to some photo inspiration! (By the way, all these photos were borrowed with DJ’s permission — it’s not too cool to go swiping pics off of people’s pages without their okay, first!)



Click here to see a video of some of his favorites…it’s so good it makes me want to throw up.

See…he’s absolutely INSANE, huh? Talk about major inspiration! Thanks DJ for being such a good sport and for putting up with my crazy emails.

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PhotoFANatic Friday

February 27, 2009 By JJ

For the last several years now, I’ve been mesmorized by photography…specifically, wedding and portrait photography. I’ve been a blog stalking rock star and feel like I know many of these photographers because I’ve watched their art grow over the years.

Not long ago, I was inspired to stop stalking and start doing…why should I only want to look at other people’s craft rather than learn it myself? The road isn’t an easy one, but it’s one that I’m LOVING. And NOW, my blog stalking has become research as many of the products, workshops, tips and tricks I use have all been word-of-mouth recommendations…or should I say word-of-blog?

I began the PhotoFANatic Friday series not only to learn more about these photographers {and from these photographers} for myself, but to inspire others…if you’re a professional photographer and would like to be featured, PLEASE contact me at jj@theblahblahblahger.com!

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