Friday, September 16, 2011

Smooth Criminal

Ahhh...TGIF for two reasons...I can only use that once a week, so please humor me...Again, I am short on material...but not other things....Today was typical..working and such, visits to 'The Wall'....splendid banter with a certain chainsaw juggler...what was expected.  E.V. and I departed our apartment to run errands...I needed to obtain items necessary for this evening's meal...Innocent enough, one would imagine...

"C'mon, Mama...spill the beans...I can't take this suspense any longer...and I'm not getting any younger..."

A situation arose, where we had to abruptly turn around...it involved a carrot and some mushrooms..long story..., anyway, we had no choice but to make a u-turn.  It was totally legal..I believe there was a sign indicating so...I swear..Well, the other side of the road housed a big orange sign, which, in my opinion was way, way, way tooo close to the road.  It kinda, sorta, maybe got knocked over...I blame Tears for Fears 'Break it Down Again' playing on the radio!  That's such an awesome song...I hadn't heard it since like 1992...I was overcome with excitement...SO, in my opinion, it was either their fault or else 94.7 FM...oops...
"Mama, is that legal???  Should you go back and pick it up??  I am NEVER getting into your car again...it's terrifying!"  Upon completing a cursory inspection of the vehicle, no significant damage occurred...in case anyone was curious..

We did manage to cook some food...dance around the apartment with a special magic pen and party like rock stars, as it is a Friday night.  tisk-tisk...I was thinking about Friday night's earlier today..  I believe the last time I really, for reals, went out on a Friday night was for my sister's birthday...It involved fish bowl drinks at the Gypsy..and shots..and karaoke..Oh, boy..yeah..fish bowl drinks...yep..brutal..we'll leave it at that...although it was a total, absolute and complete hoot..Again..my ability to focus...WIP...is there a chainsaw juggler in the house????  We cooked...and it kept us out of trouble and it was fantastic.  Win-win over on the west side!

"Hmmm, Mama...How many times...how many???  Shall we move things along..please!!  Besides, you owe me..after my experience in the car today...And I did see you the morning after the fish bowl drinks...ah em...just sayin'..."  I quickly reminded her of that NDA she has already signed...Snap, yet again! ;-)

We stepped things up a notch, so to speak..considering it is the weekend.  This evening we had roasted pork tenderloin with a peach gastrique, mixed vegetable couscous and roasted brussels sprouts..

Begin by marinating your pork tenderloin with minced sage, rosemary and thyme, garlic, peppercorns and olive oil..I did have another tip regarding the grinding of pepper..but it escapes me at the moment...mushy wandering mind syndrome...I blame...

After the tenderloin has been marinating for at least two hours, you sear it in a pan (no photos of this step..they were just plain ick..) and you proceed to roast in the oven for approximately 20-25 minutes..

The cooked roast..can you find it???  It's a roast in disguise...I'm an expert with the camouflage...in case you were wondering...one of the qualifications necessary to be a super-hero...I am stellar in the camouflage department...It is there...trust me!

The precious roast did come out long enough to be seen...and it was tender and luscious....
As you can see, this version of the roast is a tad more visible...And I was telling the truth..it really does exist!!!  Sliced roast...divine...

While the roast roasted..we contended with the couscous...It is neither long nor hard to prepare...
Couscous, chicken stock, garlic, herbs, butter and minced carrots, zucchini and baby bella mushrooms..

Saute your veggies and herbs with a little bit of olive oil..

If you're lucky, this step can take place in your Skillet of Justice...and see the vapors??  Casper is off to the right and he says hello to everyone...Have no fear...he is a friendly ghost, and if he does get out of hand, the Skillet of Justice will take care of things...it is his job...It's my duty to keep things in order around here...

Proceed to make couscous...Once that has been prepared, you mix with the sauteed vegetables..


Lastly..one needs to prepare the peach gastrique...I wouldn't technically call it a gastrique..but...it's closer to that than a compote...I think...hard to say.  I've made other gastriques before and none were like one of the peach variety...

Peaches, shallots, sherry, butter and Courvoisier...And I promise you, I did not once think of Leon Phelps, or The Ladies Man..nor did I burst in hysterics and giggle for an hour...ummm...well, actually I did.  I just couldn't help myself!  I tried!  I really, really did...It was just sooo hard!

Allow the formation of the peach gastrique to commence...It was meant to be..and it is the right thing to do...I kid you not...

Saute shallots and butter..then add remaining ingredients and simmer until thickened...It smelled heavenly...and tasted equally as heavenly...I know my stuff..

"Mama...we are THISCLOSE to eating....I can hardly contain myself...But what about one of the best parts???  The brussels sprouts???"

Ahhh..my bad...I almost forgot one of the world's greatest vegetables...Brussels Sprouts..shhhhh...don't let on, as I will never be forgiven in the world of sprouts...and that would be most unfortunate...

Oven roasted sprouts tossed in olive oil and pepper.  Simple and perfect...hmmmmm..


Our meal for this evening.  I have to come clean and admit, this was one of my most favorite meals...Everything was what I had hoped...Disaster averted...for now, anyway...

Enjoy your weekend...do some bootie shaking...hang out with magic pens...avoid road construction signs...find an awesome chainsaw juggler..perhaps, hang out on a wall...but whatever you do, come back tomorrow..we'll be here!  No regrets, my friends...none..

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