Friday Playdate » Blog Archive » grace in small things: forty

Filed Under grace in small things on June 22, 2009

Somewhere over the weekend, I was reading about how important it is to challenge yourself to do one new thing each day. As the parent of a child who does not ever want to do anything new, at least not without a painful amount of prodding and often a lot of whining and crying, I am well aware how daunting a new thing every day can be. Of course, that same child almost always winds up loving the new things we compel him to do, and will now sometimes remind us that he needs our pushing to get up and put on his shoes and go do something new. “Because,” he told me recently, “we both know I’m going to have fun, it’s just that I forget sometimes.”

Right.

I’m sympathetic to his resistance, honestly. It’s so easy to fall into a routine and just do the same comfortable things over and over again — to cook the same food and watch the same television and read the same books. And while I don’t cry when someone prods me to do something different, I do sometimes forget that there is a whole world of new things out there just waiting to be seen and done and tasted.

Five things I am going to do this summer, just because they are new and different:

1. Learn to make a really good margarita, without a mix.

2. Cook a pork tenderloin.

3. Clean and restock our bar.

4. Eat in the dining room.

5. Have a party.

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Great ideas! Thanks to my dad I know how to make an awesome non-mix margarita and thanks to my mom I can make a pretty good pork tenderloin too. All you need for good margaritas are fresh limes, tequila, triple sec and salt

Sounds like fun! As for the margaritas, I add some simple syrup (equal amounts of water and suger heated on the stove until the sugar dissolves) to mine. You can use as much or as little as you like, but I’d start with a couple ounces and go from there. I also like to use Grand Marnier instead of of triple sec.

We like frozen margaritas, and our recipe is VERY easy…dump a large can of frozen limeade in the blender. (right out of the can–DO NOT dilute!) Add 1/4 can triple sec and about 1/3 can tequila. Fill blender to top with ice and let ‘er rip. Delish!

My Mom has an amazing pork tenderloin marinade that I’ve done many times. It makes the meat so juicy & tender, and is honestly one of my favorite meals! I don’t happen to have the recipe here at work, but if you are interested in trying it out, please email me!

Pork Tenderloin - we only just tried cooking this during the past month and I don’t know why I waited so long to try it! We’ve had it twice in the past three weeks. Do you have Dale’s Sauce where you live? Another marinade would probably do as well, but we like Dale’s. Marinate for several hours, throw it on the grill for 45 minutes or so and eat. Easy and so, so good. My husband likes to slice it and grill the slices but I’m sure grilling it whole and slicing it’s cooked would work just as well. You should try it.

Can I come to #5?

And as for Pork Tenderloin - man have you been missing out! I cook it often as it is super easy. Add some couscous and roasted veggies and you have a fabulous meal. (Hormel makes some marinated ones that good - but your own marinate is always better).

Pork tenderloin is a staple at my house - let me know if you’d like an easy and delicious marinade.

Susan;

My child who you just described in your post left on a plane last week to go on a trip with his 8th grade teacher. I cried more for the fact that he went willingly then being worried.

Now if I could just get through him being a freshman….

My oldest child–the one with the birthday on June 3 as well–is the same way. She resists anything new like her life depends on it. We had to bribe her with a present to get her to try both riding a trike AND riding a bike with training wheels. She cries at the thought of dipping her chin in the water at swimming lessons. But she, too, always ends up having fun when we force her to try.

But, like you, I resist change as well, and always have. It’s very hard for me also. I feel for her (and your son).

It’s amazing, these genetics, these temperaments, this nature vs. nurture….

I like this. Three of the ideas involve booze. It’s my kind of list.

rocks margaritas - no measuring - from Sweet Potato Queen’s Book of Love

1 can frozen limeade
1 bottle corona (not light)
1 can 7-Up
use the limeade can to measure tequila - 2/3 to completely full depending on your tolerance level

DO NOT BLEND - only stir in the pitcher, serve over ice

Easy to make the next pitcher, no matter how many you’ve had

We have pork tenderloin weekly - so easy!

This recipe couldn’t be easier, and it looks fancy:

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/pork-tenderloin-with-honeyed-butter

I like my margaritas shaken, not stirred! Put some ice in your martini shaker, along with freshly squeezed lime juice, very good tequila, and a little bit of grand marnier. Shake, shake, shake. Pour into your salted glass. They go down way too easy…

New posting to site, not really a lurker either.
Pork tenderloin is no good. Pick a pork roast. Simply because pork roast has more fat. FAt is what gives meat flavor. Make up for the extra fat with the other ingredients in the dinner. I almost never have pork tenderloin because it is so dry once you cook it. The only way to cook it is to bread and fry it in some whole wheat flour, herbs/spices and fry in grapeola or canola oil. Oh if you are going to grill it, leave it the slightest bit under done in the middle to retain flavor. I’m sure others won’t agree with me but I’ve been doing it for years and never been sick.

But for real fun, combine ALL of those into a one-day party-palooza.

(tequila-lime marinaded pork tenderloin on the grill? Delish!)

Pork tenderloin is great when done correctly. You really can’t go wrong as long as you don’t overcook it. If you want a recipe (though it looks as if you have plenty to choose from already), let me know.

My “new and different” thing this summer brought us across the ocean: we’re in London for the summer. It’s crazy, it’s scary, it’s wonderful. We got here June 7 and we leave August 16. Boy, the things I’m learning!

That is a great picture, what are your camera settings?

Best, easiest margarita recipe ever:

one can frozen limeade
one limeade can full of club soda
one limeade can full of tequila
one can/bottle of beer

Mix it all up in a pitcher.
Freeze (for slushie-type margs) or serve on the rocks.

My new thing of the summer: I’m going to have a water balloon party wherein we, uh, throw water balloons at each other. Probably after drinking the aforementioned margaritas.

Pork tenderloin is a staple here too. Marinate it with fresh grated ginger, soy sauce and apple juice then grill.

Slice it into 1/2″ thick medallions and pound them to 1/4″. Saute them in butter and olive oil with mushrooms, onions, white wine and sliced green olives. Heavenly.

Thanks, Elizabeth! I had a Hormel pork tenderloin waiting to be grilled for dinner last night, but the weather has been so hot and steamy here in the St. Louis area that we weren’t looking forward to starting the grill outside. We sauted the medallions in your suggested ingredients (minus the mushrooms and white wine, because we were out of them) and it was divine!

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