Grilled Pork Loin with Peach Salsa

My mom bought two maple bourbon marinated pork tenderloins at the store the other day.  She nonchalantly asked if I would mind making them dinner and I could have the other one to make my family dinner.  That sounded like a pretty good deal to me! I usually just throw these pre-marinated pork loins on the grill or in my rotisserie as is but this time something told me that I needed to step up to the plate and rock this one out in a big way.  I did.  Total and complete success!  If you want to woo your guests at your next bar-b-que you need to make this dish!

Grilled Pork Loin with Peach Salsa

Yields 4 servings

1 pre-marinated maple bourbon pork tenderloin
olive oil
4 Tbsp. BBQ dry rub - recipe below
Peach Salsa - recipe below

Preheat your gas grill - turn the heat on high and close lid. Let preheat for 15 minutes.

Rub tenderloin with olive oil and sprinkle the BBQ dry rub onto tenderloin and rub in.

Turn your grill down to medium low and grill tenderloin turning occasionally for about 1 hour or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees.  Transfer to a platter and cover with foil tent and let rest for 5 minutes before cutting.

Serve with Peach Salsa

BBQ Dry Rub

Yields about 1 cup

1/4 cup sweet paprika
2 Tbsp. chipotle chili powder
2 Tbsp. ground cumin
2 Tbsp. light brown sugar
2 Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. dried oregano
1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1 Tbsp. ground black pepper
1 Tbsp. ground white pepper
1-2 tsp. cayenne pepper flakes

Mix all of the ingredients in a small bowl. (The rub can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for several weeks).

Peach Salsa

Yields 2 1/2 cups

2 ripe but not mushy peaches, pitted and chopped coarse
1 small red bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced
1 small red onion, diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh parlsey leaves
1 medium garlic clove, minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 1 teaspoon) - don't tell my dad there was garlic in this recipe!
1/4 cup pineapple juice
6 Tbsp. juice from 2 or 3 limes
1 medium jalepeno chili, stemmed, seeded and minced
Salt

Mix all of the ingredients, including salt to taste, together in a medium bowl. Transfer the salsa to an airtight container and refrigerate to blend the flavors at least 1 hour or up to 4 days.

Adapted from The New Best Recipe

~ Enjoy!

Happy Chicken Taco's with Ranch Sauce

My families happy faces came out at the dinner table last night!

I was moved by the "Letter From The Editor" in my yoga magazine this month. 

“Repurpose yourself or get grounded in something you have already chosen.

Nothing costs as little and is worth as much as a smile. Relax, let yourself smile and see the light come back to you tenfold!

Remember, you are the boss of your own energy. Stop waiting for someone to make you feel better, reassure you, or tell you what to do. No one can declare dominion over your life besides you. Be your own leader. What are you waiting for?

Forget about the umbrella and boots, run outside and splash in some puddles, make the most of every moment. Some people may not understand, may naysay, try and rain on your “passion parade”, but that is none of your concern. It’s your life, your choice, and it’s your rainbow.”

I love that last line “It’s your life, your choice, and it’s your rainbow”.  So many people forget they are in charge of their lives, they have choices. It’s up to you to make yourself happy not other people or materialism.  I often come across people who always seem to be putting their efforts towards figuring out what is making them unhappy when we should all be putting our efforts towards figuring out what makes us happy and be grateful for everything we have. I made a Happy List almost exactly a year ago - June 21, 2010

• Spring - I love watching the tree's and grass start to turn green and my flowers start to poke their little heads up out of the ground.  The whole world around you seems to turn VERY VERY green
• Fall - I love the smell of fall.  To me it smells like burning pumpkins.  I love all of the colors of fall, they make me feel cozy
• Waking up earlier than everyone else and sitting in peace with my coffee
• Sleeping in - which I like way better than waking up early so the waking up earlier than everyone rarely happens
• Spending one on one time with my kiddo's - Last night (6/17) after L's piano lessons, L wanted a snow cone so I stopped (which I hardly ever do) and he treated me to a snow-cone!  He even tipped the girl!
• The smell of ground coffee
• The smell of the bookstore - sometimes, I go in there just to jaunt around and take in the aroma's
• The smell of Michaels craft store
• Snuggling on the couch with my family and watching a good movie or show - which is almost every night
• Uninterrupted sewing, crafting, computer, video game, reading time - oh so rare
• Summer storms
• Bedtime - when we put the kids to bed and my hubby and I can watch whatever we want, be it Penn and Teller or a good movie
• Gardening, the smell of the dirt, the mulch and the plants aroma's they let go when you touch them - especially tomato and mum's
• The smell of Petunia's on a hot muggy night
• Enjoying my hubby's company or the company of friends on the back porch with a good bottle of wine
• Crusty bread and cheese
• Beer - Sam Adams, Guinness (if poured right), Boulevard, Blue Moon, Shlafly.....are you getting it?  There is no Bud Light, Budweiser listed here.  I like dark, wheaty, heavy beers with floaties
• A clean house - my sanity lies within a clean house
• Attic24 - This woman's blog makes me so happy.  I love all of her colorful photographs and projects that she submerges herself into.  I think her and I would make very good friends

This list still holds true today and when I’m feeling down I sometimes visit this post to remind me of all that I have to be happy for.  

Take a moment today and make yourself a happy list!

~ Enjoy and don't forget to smile you may make someones day!

Chicken Tacos with Ranch Sauce
Yields: 4 servings
Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• taco seasoning, divided (recipe follows)
• 1 tablespoon milk chunky salsa
• 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken 
• 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
• shredded lettuce
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and mashed (optional)

Ingredients for Taco Seasoning:

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese

Instructions for Chicken Tacos:

1. Combine ranch dressing, sour cream, 2 Tbsp. taco seasoning, and salsa in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
2. Cover bowl loosely with wax paper or plastic wrap. Microwave chicken until chicken is heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Warm the tortillas in a skillet for about a minute on each side to make them pliable. Place a scoop of chicken on the tortilla and top with lettuce, tomato, avocado, cheese, and a spoonful of the ranch dressing mixture.

Instructions for Taco Seasoning:

1. In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. If you are not using right away, store in an airtight container.

Adapted from Allrecipes.com

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Servings: 1

Calories:  566

Total Fat:  38.3 g

Cholesterol:  142.7 mg.

Sodium:  1087.7 mg.

Protein:  31.3g.

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When Natalie and I saw that salsa we knew it was coming home with us!