Pork tenderloin ragu over polenta

Pork and Mushroom Ragu over Polenta

Pork tenderloin ragu over polenta

I think we can all agree that November = prime fall comfort food time. It’s also starting to turn into prime busy time with holiday prep, days that are shorter and darker (ugh), and trying to wrap up all sorts of projects before the end of the year. You know what this means: it’s slow cooker time. Aw yeah!

Slow cookers make everything easy, but Smithfield is taking fall cooking simplicity to the next level with their marinated pork. You seriously don’t have to do anything besides cook it, and you have a flavorful main dish ready for anything you want to pair with it! I made this tasty ragu with a marinated fresh pork tenderloin, so it’s a bit leaner than some other cuts of pork, but still packed with protein… it’s still so tender and it’s a great slightly lighter option in these pre-Thanksgiving days.

Pork tenderloin ragu over polenta

This recipe is simple comfort food at its finest, and you’re not going to feel weighed down by the cooking process or the dish itself. Score!

Pork Tenderloin and Mushroom Ragu over Polenta

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Bring It On, Fall: Healthy Lobster Mac and Cheese

You know how I was complaining about the end of summer here?

I’m over it.  A couple more hot days and I was done.  Bring it on, fall. Bring on the crunchy leaves and cable knit sweaters.  Oh, who am I kidding?  Bring on the comfort food!

I’m probably going to upset some ES-ers with a healthified recipe, but I’m okay with it.  Because my jeans fit when I eat stuff like this.  And yours can too!

Now, this was my first attempt at lobster, and I was sort of intimidated, but it turned out pretty simple and doable (yay!)  I just used tails.  I’m not sure I could handle an entire lobster.  These tails were frozen because fresh lobster is not available around these parts.  Use fresh lobster if you have access to it, of course.

Healthy Lobster Mac & Cheese

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