hands of love #17...

Oh, I've got some yummy ones for you this time around! So be thinking about which one of these you're going to try! :) Who knew eating healthy (AND gluten free) could be SO delicious?!


Asian Pork Tenderloin with cheddar-stuffed potatoes, sauteed cinnamon carrots, & steamed green beans. This tenderloin is A.MAZING. And the potatoes are a MUST!! Sooooooo good. Here are the recipes:

Asian Pork Tenderloin

Whisk together these ingredients for a marinade:
1/3 cup soy sauce (if you're gluten free, make sure you're using a GF soy sauce!)
1/4 cup sesame oil
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 Tbl worcestershire sauce (again, make sure it's a GF brand)
2 Tbl lemon juice
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 T. mustard
1 1/2 t. pepper

Put marinade with a 1 1/2-2 pound pork tenderloin in a plastic freezer bag and chill 8 hours in the refrigerator. Discard marinade. Place pork in a foil-lined roasting pan. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until 160 degrees. Let pork stand 5 minutes before serving.

Cheddar Stuffed Potatoes

Microwave 2 large russet potatoes (about 1 pound) on high until tender. (10 to 12 minutes) Halve lengthwise and, preserving the skins, scoop the flesh into a bowl. Mash the flesh with 1/2 cup of milk, 1/2 stick of butter, 1/2 tsp. of salt, 1/4 tsp. of pepper, and mix in 1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese. Spoon mixture into the potato skins, place on a baking sheet, and sprinkle with another 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese.


Then I threw leftover pieces of the tenderloin onto a delicious salad with whatever else I had on hand: lettuce, spinach, red grapes, green onions & walnuts and my homemade dressing. (olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, salt, pepper, oregano)


Mexican breakfast pizza. I've put this one up before, but it's really delicious & beautiful with fresh diced tomato and cilantro.

**Quick tip on buying bacon: Look closely and make sure you're buying natural, UNCURED bacon with NO nitrates or nitrates added. Yes, it's definitely more pricey, but otherwise, you're eating known carcinogens. Our Kroger just started carrying it next to all the regular stuff so I don't even have to buy it at Trader Joes/Whole Foods anymore!

In a skillet, cook 8 oz. of bacon over medium high heat, stirring frequently until golden and crispy. Transfer bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate (dump out the leftover bacon fat, but leave a small amount in the skillet).

Whisk 8 large eggs in a bowl to combine. Arrange 10 corn tortillas in the skillet to completely cover the bottom (they will be overlapping). Pour the eggs evenly over the tortillas and sprinkle the bacon (diced) on top. Add any other additional toppings-- diced peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, etc. Cover and cook over medium heat until eggs are cooked through. Slide pizza from the pan onto a large cutting board, cut into six wedges and serve.


Marinated steak with homemade mashed potatoes and steamed green beans. Okay everybody, these are the BEST mashed potatoes, southern style!! Marc said they were the best he's ever tasted. Trust me. (And I had no idea that it was cream cheese that made them this good.)

Mashed Potatoes

In a large saucepot add 3 lbs of potatoes (peeled and cut into quarters) and salted water. Cook at a low simmer to avoid potatoes breaking apart. When the potatoes are tender, carefully drain. Return potatoes to dry pot and place over heat for 1-2 minutes to remove all moisture.

Place potatoes in a mixing bowl. Using a handheld potato masher, mash the potatoes. (you could use anything that will manually mash them) Add 1/2 cup of COLD butter as you begin to mash. Next, add 8 oz. of softened cream cheese and mix until melted. Stir in 1 cup of hot milk, 1 1/2 tsp of salt, and 1 tsp of black pepper. Potatoes may be covered tightly and held in a warm place for 1 hour before serving.

Enjoy! And you're welcome. :)