Pork Tenderloin Easter Dinner

ah, the mark of my favorite season...

Every year, Easter brings me so much joy as the sundresses start to come out, bright colors decorate the streets and gardens, families gather outside in celebration, and we commemorate the resurrection of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. I take any and every chance to cook up a meal in celebration, and Corona Virus will not stop me from honoring my favorite day with two of my very favorite people. 

While Covid19 is still reaping its way around the world, we are starting to see peoples' more creative sides and neighborly ways arise from the confinement. People are sharing their talents and knowledge out of the kindness of their hearts, churches are finding ways to share communion, and families are gathering on phone calls and watching online sermons together. Our church Easter Egg Hunt was taken to the streets as eggs were foraged all over town from the comfort of our vehicles. Many others are celebrating in hospital parking lots as they show our essential care workers their love and endless gratitude. Teachers are honking their way through our neighborhoods, reminding the little ones just how loved and missed they all are. Although the citizens of the world may be physically separated, this is the first time in a long time that I feel we are taken back to our roots and learning how to love and appreciate the little things again. Easter 2020 is a time to reflect on why we are able to create, to celebrate, and to love. We are still in the beginning of this scary time, and as things progress, I hope you always remember to love thy neighbor, trust in Him, and as our Pastor shared today, "don't operate in fear, but use wisdom." (Pastor Justin Blankenship, Landmark Church. Purcell, OK.) 

Growing up, my mom's side of the family would gather in Austin, Texas every single year. This time of year is always so nostalgic for me, as it was also the last visit I spent with my late grandmother, Oma. I cherish those memories of us kids running around the yard, cheeks stuffed with chocolate bunnies, earnestly searching up and down for hidden pastel eggs, as we tried to not dirty our brand new, floral printed and ruffle lined, outfits. As we're still learning (rather quickly) how to adapt to the changes going on in the world, my family gathered together, via Zoom, and talked for 3 hours, chatting and laughing, just like we would all those years ago on my aunt's back porch. 

In honor of my favorite holiday, I wanted to share a meal that welcomes the change of season in our home. I started this Easter tradition [MANY] years ago, during my first attempt at making sweet potatoes (and the first time I cooked a holiday dinner by myself.) I overcooked the potatoes and somehow landed upon a new meal that we share together as a family every year. I hope this simple, savory, and sweet meal helps create new memories in your home as it has done for ours on this Holy day.

what you'll need:

recipe yields 4 servings

1 Pork Tenderloin

3 large sweet potatoes cut into cubes

1/2 yellow onion sliced

1 bundle asparagus

8 slices of bacon

8oz organic agave 

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1.5 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp onion power

instructions for pork tenderloin and sweet potatoes:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farhenheit.
2.  Cut potatoes and onions.
3.  Drizzle oil in the bottom of a 9"x 9" oven-safe dish, and lay sweet potatoes across the bottom.
4.  Place tenderloin in dish, and season with 1tsp salt, 1tsp onion powder, 1 tsp of pepper, and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic.
5.  Cover with onions. Pour 8oz of agave (or honey) over everything.
6.  Place in oven and cook for about 1 hour or until the meat reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. (meat will continue to cook once it rests after taken out of oven.)
7.  Once tenderloin reaches desired heat, take out of oven and let rest. 
8.  While meat is resting, spoon out sweet potato pieces into a separate bowl and mash.
9.  Plate pork tenderloin on top of sweet potatoes, and drizzle the remainder garlic agave sauce all over. 

for asparagus :

1. Prep your asparagus by snapping where the woody part and the fresh green starts. (typically the more white area and about 1.5" long.) Separate 2-4 pieces (depending on thickness of asparagus.) Wrap one piece of bacon around each bundle you've made.
2.  Line a baking sheet with foil, and place bacon wrapped asparagus bundles on sheet.
3.  Place in oven for 20 minutes on 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
4.  Serve with tenderloin and sweet potatoes.

Confidentially,
Chelsea

He is risen, indeed!