What's for dinner

Yes I live on a cattle ranch, but beef is not what is for dinner in this recipe!

As much as we all love beef in all its forms, I love pork and chicken even more (don't tell my husband!) This set of recipes is for a dinner set around a pork tenderloin. If you do not have a tenderloin don't worry; pork chops, pork shoulder steaks, chicken breasts, thighs or legs will work. Heck I'm sure this would work with lamb also, but seeing as I have never cooked lamb in any form I can not make that comment with any amount of accuracy.

Pork Tenderloin w/ Mustard sauce

1 trimmed pork tenderloin sliced in 1" thick pieces
salt, pepper and garlic
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp cooking Sherry
1/4 cup whiskey ( you can use beef broth instead and it is just as good)


Season the meat with salt, pepper and garlic and cook in a cast iron skillet until cooked through.
In a small sauce pan melt butter and cook mushrooms and onion until soft. Combine all other ingredients and heat through and serve over the meat.


I normally serve this with a pasta salad, steamed spinach and sourdough rolls.

The pasta salad is easy to fix and can even be done the day before as I think it gets better after sitting in the fridge for a day.

Pasta Salad

1 box garden rotini (or your favorite)
1 bell pepper chopped
1/2 onion chopped
1/2 cup mushrooms sliced in small pieces
1/4 cup black olives sliced
1 can quarter artichoke hearts, drained and rinsed
shredded parmesan cheese
Basil Balsamic vinaigrette dressing (can also use regular Italian dressing)

Cook the pasta until just done, make sure not to over cook. Drain and run under cold water until cooled.
Add the next 5 ingredients, mix well. Pour on the dressing and toss until everything is coated, using as much dressing as you like for the taste.
Top with cheese just before serving.

Sourdough Rolls

I use a bread machine to make the dough and then shape into rolls and raise and this recipe is written for that. You can use the same recipe just mix by hand and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size and then shape into rolls

1 cup sourdough starter
1/2 cup water
3 cups flour
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 package active yeast

Mix ingredients in bread machine according to your makes directions and set on the dough setting.
When the dough is done on the dough setting remove from machine and turn out onto a floured surface. Pinch off dough in 2" balls, shape and place on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let raise for 30-45 minutes until doubled in size.
Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes or until top is golden brown.

Really hope you enjoy these recipes.

Fresh Squash and Pasta Recipe

Well, it is that time of year that those of us with gardens are starting to have an over abundance of fresh vegetables and we are all trying to figure out what to do with them. I know I have run through everyone of my recipes for squash, tomatoes, peppers and peas. So the other night for dinner I was faced with the problem of how to fix the yellow squash and zucchini in a different way that the kids would eat. Well this is what I can up with and not only did they love it, they wanted seconds and wanted to know when I would fix it again. Thought I would share the recipe with you for your family to enjoy.

Fresh Squash and Pasta

Pasta of your choice ( I used fettuccine)
2 yellow crooked neck squash cut into chunks
2 zucchini cut into chunks
1/2 large onion chopped
1 large bell pepper chopped
1 clove garlic chopped
For flavor use what ever spices or seasoning your family loves, for us I used a Cajun mixture along with Jane's Crazy Mixed Up Salt

Cook the pasta according to the directions and drain setting aside.

While the pasta is cooking, melt some butter in a large fry pan or cast iron skillet. Put in the onion, garlic and peppers and let them start cooking, Chop up the squash and zucchini and put them in along with the seasoning. Cook until the squash is cooked but still firm and slightly crunchy. Stir in the pasta and serve as a side dish.

My oldest asked me to next time add shrimp to the dish and just serve it as a main course, so this is another option for you.

Hope you enjoy!