Roast Pork Loin

A couple Sundays ago, my hubby and I invited his parents over. Whenever we have anyone over, I go into hyperdrive and freak out because I want my food to be perfect. This time was no different.We bought a pork loin and I decided to alter a recipe I had already tried once before.  Pork can turn out very dry if it isn't done right, so I am always scared of making it. However, this recipe manages to always turn out perfectly. The last time I made it, I seasoned it right before putting the roast in the over, but this times, I sealed it and marinated for about 4 hours. the result was a juicy, savory, and leftover-worthy pork roast. I hope you will enjoy this meal as much as we did!

Roast Pork Loin

Ingredients
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon rosemary, plus several whole sprigs
juice from 1/2 a lemon
salt & pepper to taste
2 pounds boneless pork loin roast
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup white wine

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Crush garlic with rosemary, lemon, salt, and pepper, making a paste.
3. Pierce meat with a sharp knife in several places (I make pretty deep cuts along the length of the roast) and press the garlic paste into the openings. Rub the meat with the remaining garlic mixture and olive oil.
4. Place pork loin in the oven, turning and basting with pan liquids. About 45 minutes through, pour in the white wine and stir to loosen the bits of food on the bottom.  Cook until the pork is no longer pink in the center, about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Serve with pan juices.  and garnish with rosemary sprigs.

Enjoy!

Xoxo,

Jen

Back to School?

No recipe today, folks. But I do have an announcement - I'm going back to school! Since I don't have NEARLY enough to do with my time, I decided I'm going back to expand my brain a little more. I've been thinking about school for a while, but was a little reluctant because I hadn't found a program that really interested me or that was convenient for me. I already have my Masters Degree in Special Education, and I KNEW  did NOT want to go back for a Doctorate (Sorry Mom, I'm just not THAT ambitious).

I recently discovered a program that is convenient and worth my while. It's an Autism Endorsement program, which adds an additional certification to my teaching license. 4 classes, 1 year, meets once a week. I'm in the process of applying (and struggling to get my 2 former school to provide me with everything I need - so frustrating), and I can actually say I am looking forward to this. Our school's population of children who are diagnosed with Autism has continued to grow, just like in the rest of the world. I think this will be a great thing to have under my belt and will really help me to better cope with all my students. :)

So come January, I will HOPEFULLY be a student once again (and no, I'm NOT a masochist).

Xoxo,
Jen

Spiced Pumpkin Syrup

So fall is here and I'm excited! A student brought me a Pumpkin Spice Latte last week, and then Annie of Annie's Eats posted a recipe for a DIY Syrup to add to your coffee at home! Cha-Ching! So I decided I had to make it as soon as I had a spare moment. (Ha - that was a joke, get it?) In case you don't live in Miami, this past weekend, the weather was awful. So I spent the weekend at home, doing - you guessed it - nada. So I was itching to get out and do something, and when Monday rolled around, I thought this was perfect. So I flitted over to the grocery store, bought everything I needed, and went to grab the pumpkin (in a can). GASP! They didn't have it. No need to fret - I stopped at another store on my way home from work today and they had it (so I definitely stocked up!).
As a result, I made this deliciousness. I even drank coffee after my dinner (which means I might be up until very late tonight) just so I could taste it.  I think this would also be good drizzled over ice cream, in tea, and countless other things.  If you find another use for it, definitely comment below - I'd love to hear what uses you have found for it! The recipe makes about half of the bottle that I filled, but I made 2 batches so I could take some to work tomorrow.

And now, without further ado - Spiced Pumpkin Syrup. :)


Spiced Pumpkin Syrup

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cloves
3 tbsp pumpkin puree

Directions
Combine the water and sugar in a medium saucepan and heat over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally, until the sugar has completely dissolved. Toss in the cinnamon sticks and whisk in the remaining spices and the pumpkin puree. Continue to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, without letting the mixture come to a boil. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes. Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer and store in your container of choice. Store the container in the refrigerator.

Stir a few tablespoons into coffee or drizzle over dessert of choice.

Enjoy!

Xoxo,

Jen

Recipe from  Annie's Eats.

Roast Chicken with Shallots

Again, I've been terrible. So sorry (I should probably just stop apologizing and resign myself to the fact that I will not post every single day).  I have a few things I definitely want to post about, and I've been brainstorming topics.  But for today, I have a delicious recipe.

I found this dish over a year ago and I probably make it at least once a month. I honestly have no idea where I got it from - I have adapted it over time to make it my own, subbing out ingredients, cutting out others, adding still others in.  It's so easy and it's the kind of dish that makes people think you spent a long time slaving over. It has a super savory flavor and everyone who has tried it has asked me for the recipe. Definitely something to try if you like chicken with some real flavor.

The side dish is Onion Roasted Sweet Potatoes.  This is something I make ALL the time.  We love sweet potato in my house, so we always have them on hand. While peeling and chopping the sweet potato isn't my favorite part, it always relaxes me. Aside from that, the dish couldn't really be any easier.


Roast Chicken with Shallots & Onion Roasted Sweet Potato

For the chicken: 

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1/2 tbsp soy sauce

1/2 tbsp honey

2 large shallots, peeled and minced

4 pieces bone-in chicken (You can use any kind - I have made this recipe with chicken breast, chicken thigh, etc.  Just adjust cooking time accordingly)

Coarse salt, freshly ground pepper (for seasoning)

Directions

1. Preheat over to 425 degrees. 

2. In a baking dish large enough to hold all the chicken in a single layer, combine the first five ingredients, whisking to combine. 

3. Toss the chicken in, coating it with the shallots. 

4. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. 

5. Place the chicken face up on the pan in a single layer. 

6. Bake for 20 minutes, until the chicken starts to brown on top. Turn the chicken over and spoon the pan juices and shallots on top. 

7. Bake for an additional 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the shallots are caramelized. 

8. Remove from the oven, serve, and enjoy!

For the sweet potato: 

Ingredients

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1/2" - 1" chunks. 

1 packet Lipton Recipe Secret Onion Soup and Dip Mix

2 tbsp olive oil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 

2. In a large bowl, mix all three ingredients, making sure that the sweet potato is well-coated. 

3. Place in a single layer in a baking dish. 

4. Bake for 20 minutes. 

5. Toss the potatoes, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until you can easily spear the potato with a fork. 

6. Remove from the oven, serve, and enjoy! 

XoXo, 

Jen

Here Comes Baby... (Not Mine!)

She really is glowing... I love how pretty pregnant women look. :)

So as I told you in a previous post, I am now building up my photography portfolio and my good friends Eric & Kathy allowed me to use them as my test subjects. We were together for a couple of hours and we had a really great time (even though we were almost eaten alive by mosquitoes).  I just wanted to share some of my favorite shots from that day. :) I hope you enjoy!!!

This is my FAVORITE shot of the day. I LOVE it!

Xoxo, 

Jen

Bargain Blast: Nordstrom Rack

I asked on FB for some topics that people would be interested in reading, and I got some great responses.  The one that fits my blog most aptly would have to be one submitted by my friend and co-worker, Melanie.

 "How about (blogging about) places people can get good bargains when trying to stay fashionable in this economy?"

So I decided to do a kind of series on some of the places where I like to shop. I'm going to try and post at least one place per week, with some of the reasons why I love that particular place so much.  I am a huge bargain hunter, and I HATE (I mean really DESPISE) paying full price for anything, especially knowing that there are so many places that offer bargains on great pieces.  The first Bargain Blast store is....

Nordstrom Rack

If you like designer labels, this is the place to go. They always have a great selection, and if you search properly, you can find some major gems. I've come out of there with a Michael Kors purse for less than $100, and I have seen Kate Spade bags for under $150 several times. There are items you wouldn't want to skimp on, and at those times, this is a great place to go. I've tried on Diane VonFurstenberg dresses (didn't purchase because they didn't have my size :/ ), and have actually purchased more than one Calvin Klein dress for under $50 (talk about something you can wear forever). Not to mention they carry a lot of tops for under $20 - at a much better quality than what you might find elsewhere. I've spotted Burberry coats in several sizes, and they almost ALWAYS carry Seven Jeans or True Religion Jeans.

For men, they carry TailorByrd shirts, which my husband loves. They retail for about $110 in Nordstrom stores, but at the Rack, they are about $50 - $60. Can't go wrong for a nice, modern dress shirt. The colors are always nice and bright, and I love seeing my hubby in these very well-made shirts.

Great accessories from Betsey Johnson, watches from several different designers, hair accessories for under $5, and all other kinds of jewelry for really really great prices occupy one corner of the store. And near the register are a couple of stands of beauty supplies, carrying Stila, Smashbox, and Neutrogena products, as well as a few others.

But by far, what has me more than smitten with Nordstrom Rack is their designer shoe department. I have at least 5 pairs of shoes that I have purchased in their regular shoe department (prices range from $40 - $80, which is VERY good). Back to designer section - But back in May, I found a gorgeous pair of gold Jimmy Choo slingback, peep-toe heels. They were $300. So I practiced self-control and left them there. A week later, I was still dreaming of the shoes, and when my hubby went back to buy some jeans, he picked them up for me, and this time, they were 50% off!!!! So they only cost $150. Steep for shoes, but not for Jimmy Choos. After doing some research, I realized that those shoes retailed for $800. Definitely a steal.

The Jimmy Choos I got for $150!

Wearing my Jimmys in Philly... The gold clutch was $10 at Bijoux Terner. 

So there you have it - the first Bargain Blast.  Nordstrom Rack, a great place for almost anything!

Coming up next time...  DSW.

Until next time!

Xoxo,

Jen

Jack of all trades, Master of none?

So it seems as if every week I find something else I enjoy and at which I could become much greater. There are just so many things I enjoy. I have huge dreams. Some I might achieve, some might be a flailing attempt... But I have promised myself that even if it is flailing, I WILL make the attempt.

Teaching is my first love, and what puts the money in the bank account regularly (even if it isn't much). But on my list of things are to be a published author and to expand my photography portfolio. Writing has been a love of mine for a long time. I remember scribbling notes and poems on any scrap of paper I could ever find, and writing short stories on my parents' old desktop. That's where blogging came about. A place to express myself, to make my thoughts heard, and to hone my skills.  My hopes are that I can one day write a book and get it published (I've actually already written a children's alphabet book and illustrated it, but no publishing yet).

As for photography, I've always thought of it as "just a hobby." I've taken maternity photos for friends, or friends' children, photographed parties, and as always, at school. But it was never something I made money off of.   So imagine my surprise when a friend recommended me for a paying job this past weekend! It was an engagement party, and I absolutely LOVED it. The couple was great, as were their families! I was even booked for other jobs through this party! So I'm excited to have another creative outlet for myself, as well as to help document the fun and important times in people's lives!

I'm not trying to market myself here - I'm seriously just EXTREMELY excited about this new venture! The blog is also great at letting me hone some of my photography skills, so I have definitely been getting plenty of practice.

The whole point of this post is that I want to know how to do a lot of things... not just one. I want to look back at the end of my life and say, "I tried it all. I might not have been the absolute best, but at least I can say I tried."  I think that's the way we should all live... try everything you want to try, at least once! You never know what can come from it.

Anyway, here are a couple of shots to enjoy!

Lover's Locks on the Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy

Water flowing

Two of my favorite girls. :)

Spanish Food. Need I say more? 

Gaudi-inspired bull in Barcelona, Spain

Xoxo,

Jen