STUFFED PORK LOIN DINNER

A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

For “New Years Day” I decided to make something different as we are tired of turkey and ham, mashed potatoes and the gravy that goes with each.

I took out a pork loin and stuffed it. With it I will serve the baked potato recipe that we enjoy and make a casserole squash dish. I made a pulse bean salad & for dessert we will have strawberries and ice-cream.

STUFFED PORK LOIN – serves 8

2 tablespoons flour
½ teaspoon pepper seasoning
¼ cup melted butter
¼ cup light cream
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
4 pound pork loin
½ pound cooked ham slices
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon rosemary
Mix together the flour, pepper, butter and cream until smooth. Shred the cheese and mix with the flour mixture. Set aside.
Cut a lengthwise slit through the loin horizontally almost to the other side. Open it up so it lies flat. Pound it to be about 3.4 inch thick.
Place on the ham slices. Spread the grated cheese mixture down the centre of one side of the loin up to about 1 ½ inches from the edge. Roll up like a jelly roll, starting with the long end with the cheese on. When finished rolling, secure the roll by wrapping around with kitchen string. Tighten up ends with toothpicks.
Combine paprika, oregano, basil and rosemary; rub over the outside of the loin. Place on a rack in a roasting pan. Bake uncovered at 325 º F for 2 – 3 hours or until tender.

CREAM SAUCE
1 medium onion, chopped fine
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 cups light cream
½ cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons sour cream
Sauté the onion in butter in a fry pan until tender. Stir in the cornstarch until smooth. Whip in cream and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and cook until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in sour cream. Add a little salt if necessary.

Slice pork loin; serve with cream gravy.

DICED POTATO/CHEESE BAKE – bake in a 9 by 12 inch cake pan
I made this potato recipe for Christmas Day. I was cooking potatoes for Christmas Eve supper so I decided to cook extra potatoes. I left the extra in pieces and put them into the fridge. They were all ready to make up this recipe.

5 cups cooked, diced potatoes
½ cup grated or chopped onion
1 can cream of celery or chicken soup*
1 cup kefir (or sour cream)
1/3 cup coconut oil (melted) (or use melted butter)
2 level tablespoons flour
1 ½ cups grated cheddar cheese
1 ½ cups corn flakes (crushed)
Mix the potatoes, onion, soup, kefir, coconut oil, flour and cheddar cheese. Spread in the pan. Sprinkle with crushed cornflakes. Bake uncovered for 1 hour at 350 º F.

* NO CAN OF CELERY OR CHICKEN SOUP?
I do not buy cans of soup so instead I pureed a half cup of thawed celery that I had blanched & frozen from the garden in summer. Add ¾ cup milk & heat to boiling. Thicken with 3 tablespoons cornstarch that has been mixed with ¼ cup more milk. Add 1 tablespoon butter plus salt & pepper to taste. Use a hand blender to puree once more. Use this in place of the can of soup.

SQUASH CASSEROLE
I still have squash from the garden. The one I chose for today was deep orange in color. I leave the shell on when cooking this kind of squash. The shell is very soft and actually purees up into the squash so that one would never know it is blended in. The shell has plenty of fibre so I would assume it then includes extra nutrition.

Remove the inside seeds and the flesh. Cut the rest of the squash up. Add 1 inch of water and boil on low until tender. Puree together with the water in a blender or use a hand blender. Add 2 tablespoons butter and a tablespoon of brown sugar or honey. Whip well. Spread into a casserole. Top with a few dobs of butter and sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake at 325 º F for 30 minutes. Just before serving sprinkle with a herb of your choice, salt & pepper.
I sprinkled on a half teaspoon of powdered parsley.

We are enjoying family times, get-togethers with friends and as well times just relaxing and taking the time to remember & be thankful for the blessings we have experienced this past year. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who are struggling, in poor health or need food to put on their table.

With some of our family and many of our extended family and friends in many places of the world, we spend time everyday praying for them; for God’s hand of protection and blessing on them. And for those who are going through difficult times right now we pray for a sense of God’s presence, comfort and peace.
Sincerely Winnie

WISHING EACH OF YOU A VERY SPECIAL & BLESSED NEW YEAR!