Joel's Favorite for his last night
Pork Roast a la Sally
Two pork loins
1-2 cups apple juice (depending on how big the loins are--I usually just pour it in to the top of the meat.)
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
1 package onion soup mix
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
4 apples sliced thinly
2 onions sliced thinly
1/2 -3/4 cup dried cherries according to preference (optional--some don't like this--but most of my family loves it)
Sea salt and pepper to taste
Stir the apple juice, garlic, soup mix and worcestershire sauce together in a crock pot. Place the pork loins in the sauce. Cover the meat with apples and onions. Sprinkle the dried cherries over the top. Put lid on and cook slowly all day. Salt and pepper to taste. The meat is so luscious and literally falls apart. Always a hit for crowds or for my kids and so very easy to do. I make an easy gravy out of the juice that is left over. I have a great source for natural, organic pork, so though we don't have it often, it is a real treat.
Mashed potatoes
I almost always use red potatoes lately as they have less of a sugar base when cooked. I also use a pressure cooker and do them in four minutes. Add 1-2 teaspoons of condensed chicken bouillon (natural, no msg) when you drain the water from the potatoes and then you don't have to use as much butter. The bouillon gives it a rich taste. Salt and pepper to taste and a little butter and milk and whip away.
Steamed green beans
I love the green beans this time of year. Fresh is best, but there are frozen, thin beans that you can get at the grocery store. Steam over boiling water until just tender. While steaming, I sprinkle the beans with French herbs. When finished, I sprinkle lightly with sea salt and toss them in 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil. They taste fresh and melt in your mouth.
Since the children were little, we have often used the sparkling white or red grape juice with this meal.
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Finally, since I am speaking about well-seasoned food, I would also like to point you to well-seasoned friends who are writers. I enjoy so many blogs of friends who encourage so many in very creative and thoughtful ways. But today, I wanted to point you to three women who I consider friends, and mentors-encouragers, even though none of us have met face to face. Each woman walks with our precious Lord, each woman is seasoned in life--is old enough to have walked through many valleys and mountain tops and has gleaned wisdom along the way--and each will delight you through the writings of her heart and the sharing of her life.
Brenda Nuland delightful
Elizabeth Foss lifegiving
Ann Voscamp contemplative
Enjoy!
Now that Joel is back in Boston, Clay has his girls all about him--a different house for sure! God bless Nate and Joel today and let them know you love them and are with them. On to my life..........