Pork in Orange / Chocolate Sauce

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The simmering stew and...

A package of pork stew meat was sitting in the fridge awaiting to be made into something eatable.
And, recently I found a recipe that was called: Pork sirloin with chocolate orange sauce.

Is it possible to combine pork and chocolate? Really?
There was only one way to find out, I had to go and try!

J.P. 's remark after he started eating: " What is that? The sauce tastes something like ...mmh, I don't know but it is good."
Upon telling him that it was a orange/chcolate sauce he looked at me saying: "You are kidding me, right?"
Wrong.
As it happened so often - some of the ingredients i didn't have.
Here is what I made out of the original.
To balance the acidity of the orange juice I chose to add some sugar. And, I can imagine that, if I had had one, a drop of cream would have been good to add too.
Since I didn't have any baking chocolate in my pantry either, I had to improvise and make some. (see: directions)
Nonetheless, the whole turned out to be a very tasty stew, in a rich brown sauce. Definitely a good combination that I will use again.

The final Pork stew with orange/chocolate sauce

As an additional information:
The day after I mixed the leftovers of two stews I made on March 5 and March 6.
Hubby and I agreed that the combination was even better.
The reason:  the chocolate flavour was there, but more subtle. 

Ingredients: (My own alterations are shown in brackets).

2 lbs pork tenderloin (pork stew meat, cut into small pieces)
salt
pepper
(sugar)
(1 tbsp ground sweet paprika)
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided (2 tbsp vegetable oil)
1 cup orange juice (and some water)
1 teaspoon ginger, freshly grated (1 tbsp ground ginger)
1 ounce bittersweet chocolate, chopped (1 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder, oil)

Directions: (for the original recipe go here)
(Heat the oil and brown the meat for a few minutes. Add  seasoning and orange juice. Simmer for about one  hour. Add on water as needed, but keep it to a minimum, just so that the meat doesn't cook dry.

Chocolate is a combination of cocoa and cocoa butter so, I  mixed cocoa powder with little bit of water until dissolved, added 1 tbsp oil, (preferable coconut oil) and mixed the fluid cocoa to the meat about 5 minutes before serving.

Side dish: Pilaff rice and stir-fried, mixed vegetables.

Kind of a "Ratatouille"

Welcome to my blog, Bob C., I remember you from the time when we were novice rver's, had a 5-wheel and used your satellite antenna to get our internet!
Hope you enjoy my rambling about our dinners!


With only 4 more weeks to go I keep myself from stocking up the pantry. The idea is : what we don't have in there we need not to haul home. Today I used up the rest of my Quinoa seeds.

boiling quinoa

With the fridge nearly empty, there was not much choice.
Some vegetables, a piece of cold grilled chicken, a piece of cold roast beef, but it was enough to make it into ratatouille-like meal.

And the cooking time: only 15 minutes!

Mixed vegetables with quinoa

Nothing leftover here. Now we really need to go shopping tomorrow!
Otherwise it's down to bread and water :))

Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa
1 1/2 cup water or broth

1 large carrot, chopped
1 celery, chopped, 1 cup
1 small green squash, copped, 1 cup
1 onion, minced, 1/2 cop
1 leaf of kale (had a bunch of them in the freezer)
1 leaf of bok choy (same thing, from the freezer)
1 slice of grilled chicken breast, cubed 1/3 cup
1 piece roast beef, cubed, 1 cup
1 tblsp oil
1 slice of bacon, in bits (optional)
salt
pepper
leftover roast beef gravy, 3/4 cup
1/2 cup of cheddar, cubed

Directions:
Bring Quinoa to a boil and simmer until all fluid is gone and the quinoa all fluffy.

Sautée bacon and onions in oil and add the vegetables for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add meat and gravy and simmer for another 5 minutes.
Just before serving add the cheese.

Leek and Apple, why not?

This turned out to be a very good combination and the whole meal didn't cost us a lot.
Slices vegetables were sautéed, not too soft. Start with carrots, add leek and the apple slices just for a few minutes.
Can be served just with butter as a vegetarian dish. Since hubby is fond of sauces I made a quick ginger sauce.
Done in the time it takes to boil the potatoes.

leek, carrot and apple - a colourful combination

Ingredients:

5 slices of ham
1 carrot, sliced
1 leek, washed and sliced
1 sweet apple, sliced
3 potatoes
salt
pepper
ginger (for the sauce)
butter

Peter's Pollock and Vegetables

Today was J.P.s kitchen day!
We were gone the whole day on various errands including grocery shopping.
When we finally came home he offered to do the cooking.

Contemplating

Fine - I took my camera and went for a walk with the dog. (slide show)

Fresh fish (haddock) and VEGETABLES. He did a very good job!

Teksts på norsk se nedenfor (read more)

Heute war J.P. in der Küche zuständig.
Weiterlesen (read more) anklikken

Stir-Fried Vegetables

Stir-fried Vegetables

For some time now I am trying to get more vegetables on the table, but it is not so easy to get out of the old routine, I can tell you. But writing about my way of cooking just shows it plain enough. We need to be more observant of what we eat. 


For now I cook "the old fashioned way", that means most of the stuff I am used to cook and what my husband loves to eat.  But I try to sneak something in that is more in the new direction, or I leave something out which we should do without. 


First thing was to leave the meat off my plate. I know that I will not get hubby to do the same. However he will be eating more leafy vegetables in the future, and other types of grains and legumes. 


I read through a lot of recipes recently and must admit that It is a bit confusing to say the least.  I stumbled over a gentlemen's plea for help ("the unwilling cook") who became a widower and had no clue how to cook. I understand what he went through when I read about whole foods and vegan cooking.
It is like learning a new language. So many new culinary terms to handle. 
Good to find glossaries and food definitions online.


Why do they name boiled rice for example "pilaf"?
Or "polenta" and not corn flour welling? 
(The logical answer is probably: it sounds more interesting.)


Well, I guess I will get used to it and, in no time use the same terms without thinking twice as the "unwilling cook" did too.


If you want to know what happened to him, try this link:


"An update from the unwilling cook"

Well, today I made a simple pan of stir-fry vegetables and rice for myself. J.P. got additionally his potatoes, and meat loaf with sauce to keep him happy. 

1 slice of rutabaga, 1 carrot, 1 parsnip and 1 tomato
salt, pepper, parsley
1 tsp. tahini (optional) 
olive oil
Chop the vegetables in thin stripes and sauté in olive oil until tender. Season with salt, pepper, tahini and parsley
Boil 1/4 cup of rice. 

My version of Tahini

*Tahini. I learned is crushed sesame seeds with olive oil. I rummaged through my pantry and came up with a small amount sesame seeds that I used to have on my home made breads. I toasted the seeds slightly in a pan, then I took my kitchen -aid and crushed the seeds, mixed some olive oil and a pinch of salt with it. TaDa! - a simple Tahini is done. As it reads, can be used in vegetable dishes, as bread spread and more. I have to find out.

Seit einiger Zeit versuche ich nun schon "gesünder" zu kochen aber es ist garnicht so einfach aus der alten Routine zu kommen. Im Moment koche ich noch nach "alter Väter Sitte" aber ich versuche schon mal das ein oder andere Neue hinein zu schmuggeln oder weg zu lassen. Zum Beispiel esse ich wesentlich weniger Fleisch. Höchstens einmal etwas Huhn oder Fisch. Als Nächstes soll noch mehr grünes Gemüse auf den Teller, und verschiedene Kornarten und Hülsenfrüchte.


Ich habe in letzter Zeit viele Rezepte durchgelesen und fühle mich leicht verwirrt. Es ist als ob man eine neue Sprache erlernen soll. So viel merkwürdige neue Ausdrücke. Gut das man online die Erklärungen finden kann.
Warum muß gekochter Reis unbedingt "Pilaf" heißen?
Oder Maisgrütze den Namen "Polenta" haben.
Wahrscheinlich weil es sich interesanter liest. 
Na ja, ich werde mich schon noch dran gewöhnen und warscheinlich mit den neuen Wörtern so schnell vertraut werden daß es mir gar nicht mehr auffällt wenn ich sie benutze.


Heuter habe ich eine einfache Gemüsepfanne und Reis für mich gemacht. J.P bekam dazu seinen Hackbraten mit Soße und Bratkartoffeln. 


1 Scheibe Steckrübe, 1 Karotte, 1 Pastinack, 1 Tomate
Salz, Pfeffer, Petersilie, Olivenöl
1 Teel. Tahini*
1/4 Tasse Reis
Das Gemüse in feine Streifen schneiden und mit Olivenöl sautieren bis sie anfangen weich zu werden. Mit Salz, Pfeffer und Petersilie würzen. Eventuell Tahini dazugeben. Den Reis mit Wasser oder Brühe gar kochen.


* Tahini. Ich habe gelesen das dies eine Paste aus  Sesamkörner und Olivenöl ist. Nachdem ich meinen Vorratsschrank durchgesehen hatte fand ich eine kleine Menge Sesamkörner die ich bisher nur zum Brotbacken benutzt habe. Die Körner wurden in einer Pfanne leicht angeröstet, dann mit der Küchenmaschine zerkleinert und mit etwas Salz und Olivenöl zu einer Paste vermischt. Simsalabim - schon war mein Tahini fertig. Nun muß ich nur noch herausfinden wo ich es verwenden kann.

Jeg prøver allerede en stund å lage mer sunt mat. Det er ikke helt enkelt. "Gammle vaner er vond å vende" tenker jeg ofte. Men det skal bli mer grønnsaker, bønner og slik i maten vår. Og mindre kjøtt, ihvertfall for min del.
Jeg leste igjenom en hel haug med oppskrifter og er blitt litt forvirret. Det er så mange nye uttryk, det er som å lære et nytt språk. 
Hvorfor må det være "pilaf" istedenfor kokt ris? Eller "polenta" hvis det dreier seg om maisgrøt. Kanskje fordi det høres mer interessant ut.
Jeg vil bli kjent med det, og omsider kommer til å bruke de samme uttrykkene uten å tenke på det.
Idag laget jeg en enkle rett. En hel panne fyllt med grønnsaker og kokt ris atått. Gubben fikk kjøttpuddingen med saus of stekte poteter. 


1 skive med kålrot,     1 gulrot,    1 pastinakk,    1 tomat
salt, pepper, persille olivenolje
1 ts Tahini *
Kutt grønnsakene i fine strimmler og fres dem i olivenolje inntil mør. Kryddre med salt, pepper og persille. Bruk litt tahini hvis du liker det.
Kok 1/4 kopp med ris i vann eller kraft.


*Tahini. Jeg leste at dette er en paste med  sesamfrø og olivenolje. Når jeg romsterte igjenom kjøkkenbenken fant jeg noe som jeg hittil hadde brukt i brødbaksten min. Frøene ble toastet litegrann i en panne og så knust ved hjelp av kjøkkenmaskin. Blandet med litt salt og olivenolje og vips - min egen Tahini var ferdig. Nå må jeg bare finne ut hvor jeg kan bruke det i.

Vegetable Soup with Haddock

The week comes to an end and so does the supply in my pantry and fridge. There is one single potato, some leftover vegetables and one filet of haddock.  Maybe enough for a soup.
1 haddock filet, 1 big potato and 1/4 rutabaga in cubes, 1 carrot (sliced), 1 onion (diced), 1 stalk of celery (sliced). Boil in 2 cups of vegetable broth (instant) until potatoes are nearly done. Season with salt, pepper, Tabasco, 1 tsp Tumeric and dill. 10 minutes before serving set the heat to LOW and add the fish (cubed). J.P. was sad that there were not more than two helpings. So simple, so good.

Vegetables and Haddock

Gemüseeintopf mit Fisch
Die Woche geht zu Ende und so auch der Inhalt in meiner Speisekammer und im Kühlschrank. Ich finde nur noch eine einsame Kartoffel, ein paar Gemüsereste und ein Schellfischfilet. Vielleicht ist das ja genug für einen Eintopf.
200 g Schellfischfilet, 1 große Kartoffel, 1/4 Steckrübe, 1 Karotte, 1 Stange Bleichsellerie und 1 Zwiebel. Alles in Würfel oder Scheiben schneiden und mit 500 ml Gemüsebrühe (instant) zum Kochen bringen. Mit Salz, Pfeffer, Tabasco, 1 Teel. Tumeric (Safranersatz)  und Dill würzen. 10 Minuten vor dem Servieren auf niedrigste Hitze stellen und den Fisch dazugeben. Ziehen lassen. J.P war hätte gerne mehr als zwei Teller davon gegessen, aber leider war der Topf leer. Muß ich mir merken. So einfach und so gut.

Betasuppe med Hyse
Weekenden nærmer seg og det blir tomt i kjøleskapet mitt. Jeg finner en ensom potet, noe grønnsaker og en hysefilet. Kanskje det er nok for en god suppe.
1 hyse filet, 1 stor potet, 1/4 kålrot, 1 gulrot, 1 stilk selleri og en løk. Skjær alt i terninger og kok med 500 ml kraft. Smak til med salt, pepper, Tabasko og 1 ts tumerik (gurkemeie). Når poteter er ferdig kokt, ca 10 minutter før serveringen, sett varmen på lavt og tilføy fiskebitene. J.P likte det svært godt og det ble ingenting tilovers. Så enkelt å lage og så godt.

Pork Roast, Vegetables, Coleslaw and Potatoes

Today we have company and I will make:
Pork Roast, Vegetables, Coleslaw and Potatoes
Preheat oven to 350 F, season the meat with pepper, garlic powder and herbs a la Provence. Fry the roast from all sides in a pan and kok it in a fire proved dish in the oven for 1,5 hours. After half the time fill up with 1 cup of water or bouillon.
Peal 4 potatoes, 2 carrots and 1 small broccoli. Set to a boil 30 min before the roast is done. Drain and serve with a clot of butter.
Chop finely 1/2 charlotte onion, 2 carrots, 1/4 white cabbage and 1/4 red cabbage. Season with 2 tbsp vegetable oil and 1 tbsp olive oil, sugar, salt, pepper and, vinegar to taste. ( eventual add 1/2 cup of mayonnaise). Set aside.
When roast is done, thicken sauce with a little corn starch. 

Heute haben wir Besuch und es gibt Schweinebraten, Gemüse und Rohkostsalat.
Den Backofen auf 180 C vorheizen. Den Braten mit Pfeffer, Kräuter der Provence und Knoblauchpulver würzen, von allen Seiten in der Pfanne anbraten und dann in einer feuerfesten Form in den Ofen stellen und ca 1 1/2 Stunden garen. Nach der halben Kochzeit eine Tasse Wasser oder Brühe hinzufügen.
4 Kartoffeln, 2 Karotten und einen kleinen Broccoli vorbereiten und ca 30 Minuten bevor der Braten gar ist zum Kochen aufsetzen. 
1/2 Charlotte, 2 Karotten, 1/4 Weißkohl, 1/4 Rotkohl ganz fein reiben und Salz, Zucker, Pfeffer, 2 Eßl Salatöl, 1 Eßl Olivenöl und Essig nach Geschmack mischen. Eventuell etwas Mayonaise untermischen. Zur Seite stellen und ziehen lassen. Diese Art Rohkostsalat ist in Nordamerika sehr beliebt und wird zu allen größeren Mahlzeiten angeboten.
Das gekochte Gemüse abgießen und mit etwas Butter servieren.

I dag har vi gjester og jeg lager: Svinestek, Grønnsaker, Kålsalat og Poteter
Kålsalaten er veldig populær i Nord America. Den finner man ved alle større måltider.
Varm stekeovn til ca 180 Grader. Kryddre kjøttet med pepper, hvitløk og Provence krydderblanding. Brun steken fra alle sider og sett i en ildfast form i oven for ca 1 1/2 timer. Etter ca 40 minutter tilføy en kopp med vann eller kraft til steken.
Skrell 4 poteter og 2 gulrot, rens en liten brokkoli. Sett til å koke ca 30 minutter før svinekjøttet er ferdig stekt.
1/4 hvitkål, 1/4 rødkål, 2 gulrøtter og en rød løk må blir hakket i små biter (bruk kjøkkenmaskin) og smaket til med salt, pepper, sukker, 2 ss olje , 1 ss olivenolje og noe eddik. Evetl. tilføy noe majones. Sett til sides.
Server kokt grønnsakene med litt smør.