Vote For My Menu: June Edition

I took a month off to catch up on being a full-time student, but it's that time again, come vote for my menu!  This decision is based solely on 4 main course and 4 dessert recipes that I choose and then you vote to come to a FINAL decision.  After a week's time I will cook my version of the selected recipe and provide step-by-step instructions along with photos!  To vote just comment your Number and letter choice.  Thank you all in advance for your continued support and participation!

Main Dish Options

Option 1: Pork Tenderloin with Pomegranate Glaze
I can only imagine how delicious these flavors would compliment one another.







Original Recipe: Pork tenderloin with pomegranate glaze












Option 2: Cheese Tortellini with Spinach & Slow Roasted Tomatoes
After many requests I have promised to always provide a vegetarian choice.  As much as I love meat, there are so many amazing recipes that do not need it, such as this one.

Original Recipe: Cheese Tortellini with spinach & slow roasted tomatoes








Option 3: Sweet & Sour Chicken-Apricot Skewers
I am intrigued by this recipe and would love to try it.

Original Recipe: Sweet & Sour Chicken Apricot Skewers










Option 4: Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa
This could be really awesome or really weird, let's try it!

Original Recipe: Salmon with Avocado








Dessert Options

Option A: Gooey Crock Pot Monkey Bread
I have been saving this amazing recipe for months, and can't wait to try it out!

Original Recipe: Gooey Crockpot Monkey Bread









Option B: Pear & Pistachio Crisp
I really wonder what this combination would taste like.

Original Recipe: Pear & Pistachio Crisp









Option C: Rice Pudding with Cherries

Rice Pudding AND Cherries, and there is also WHITE chocolate, I am salivating just thinking about it!

Original Recipe:

Rice-pudding-with-cherries

Option D: Bourbon Cake with Caramel Glaze
This sounds so exciting and yummy

Original Recipe: Waterford Reserve Bourbon Cake with Caramel Glaze

Heirloom Carrot-Watermelon Protein Smoothie

This was a smoothie that featured and excellent mix of both fruits and veggies!  It was very light tasting and the watermelon taste came through.  It was not as sweet as my previous fruitier smoothies but was very delicious.  I would definitely make it again. 

Ingredients:
1 Cup Frozen Fruit (Mango, Strawberries, Blueberries)
1 Scoop Vanilla Protein
1 Heirloom Carrot (Peeled & chopped)
1 Cup Watermelon (chopped)
2 Radishes (Ends removed and chopped)
1 Cutie Orange (Peeled & Sectioned)
1 Leaf Kale
1/2 Pear (Seeded & Chopped)
1 Cup Milk


Directions:
Add the frozen ingredients into the blender first and then add the protein and the remaining fruit, top with the milk (This helps ensure a better overall blend).  Blend on medium/high speed until well blended and serve.  This gives me 2 smoothies to enjoy so that I can take care of 2 days at once, refrigerate the remaining smoothie.  Enjoy!

Add all the ingredients into the blender

Side view of yummy

Blend it all together

Serve & Enjoy!

  

If you interested in any other smoothie recipes here are my previously posted recipes

Watermelon-Triple-Berry Protein Smoothie with Kale

Pear-Apple-Berry Fruit Protein Smoothie

Watermelon-Triple-Berry Protein Smoothie with Kale

It was time to share another one of my delicious protein smoothies.  I like to always add Kale into my smoothies when I can so I am all stocked up for a couple weeks right now :)  I also had watermelon to make use of which gave it a very delicious flavor.  Enjoy!


Ingredients:
1-1 1/2 Cup Triple Berry Frozen Fruit Mix (Raspberries, Blueberries & Blackberries)
1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
1/2 apple (cored and sliced)
1/2 pear (cored and sliced)
1-1 1/2 Cup Watermelon (Rind Removed & Sliced)
1 Leaf Kale

1 Cup Rice Milk

Directions:
Add the frozen ingredients into the blender first and then add the protein and the remaining fruit, top with the milk (This helps ensure a better overall blend).  Blend on medium/high speed until well blended and serve.  This gives me 2 smoothies to enjoy so that I can take care of 2 days at once, refrigerate the remaining smoothie.  Enjoy!

Add all of the ingredients to the blender

Blend until fully mixed

Serve & Enjoy!

If you interested in any other smoothie recipes here is another one I posted:
Pear-Apple-Berry Fruit Protein Smoothie

Pear-Apple-Berry Fruit Protein Smoothie

I make a lot of fruit protein smoothies, and they end up different every time, depending on what my ingredient choices are around the house.  I keep trying to remember to write the recipes down so that I can go back and make them again, or not make ones that didn't end up as well as I would have liked.  Tonight after my workout I was putting one together and decided it would be a good time to share this kind of recipe with the readers of my blog.  Enjoy!  And let me know if you have any comments or suggestions. 

Ingredients:
1 apple (cored and sliced)
1 pear (cored and sliced)
1/4 Cup Mandarin Oranges
1 Cup Frozen Fruit (Strawberries, Blueberries & Mangoes)
1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
1 Cup Rice Milk

Directions:
Add the frozen ingredients into the blender first and then add the protein and the remaining fruit, top with the milk (This helps ensure a better overall blend).  Blend on medium/high speed until well blended and serve.  This gives me 2 smoothies to enjoy so that I can take care of 2 days at once, refrigerate the remaining smoothie.  Enjoy!

Add in all of the ingredients

Blend until mixed well

Serve & Enjoy!

Pear Mesquite Ribs

This is one of those using things you have around the house kind of recipes, and it turned out delicious!  It's one of the reasons that I always love ribs, is because you can do so many things with the flavor of them.  Enjoy this version!

Ingredients:
1 Package Pork Butt Ribs (4 large ribs)
Seasoning (Brown Sugar Bourbon, Tarragon, Barbecue)
1-1 1/2 Cup Apple Juice
3/4 Bottle of Mesquite Flavored BBQ Sauce
1 Large Pear (Cored & Sliced)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.  Generously season the ribs and put them into a deep pan.  Pour in enough apple juice to just reach the top of the ribs.  Drizzle the BBQ sauce over the top.  Add the pears and then top with additional Brown Sugar Bourbon seasoning over the pears.  Cook for an hour, turn off the oven and let sit for another 15 minutes.  Remove and serve.  Enjoy!

Generously season the ribs

Add the Apple Juice to the top of the ribs

Drizzle The BBQ sauce on top of the ribs

Add the pears on top and season once more

Remove from the oven

Serve & Enjoy!

Decide What I Cook! January Edition!

Here we are, the first chance in 2014 to get your vote in to decide what I should cook.  I will cook the winning dish and post the recipe with my alteration or improvisations as well as step-by-step photos!  This doesn't work unless I get voter participation, so it all depends on you as my readers!  I leave the voting open for 7 days for everyone to have the chance to get their votes in!  Thank you all in advance for your continued support and participation!  To vote just comment a letter and number to indicate your choice.

Main Dishes:

Option A: Herb & Citrus Roast Leg of Lamb
You can never go wrong with delicious lamb, and this one looks quite succulent.

Original Recipe: Herb Citrus Roast Leg of Lamb














Option B: Sauteed Scallops with Parsley & Garlic
Scallops are my favorites of all the shellfish, and this recipe sounds delicious!

Original Recipe: Sauteed Scallops











Option C: Plum Pork Tenderloin
Plum and Pork make a savory combination.

Original Recipe: Plum Pork Tenderloin











Option D: Sweet & Sour Chicken-Apricot Skewers
I am intrigued by this recipe and would love to try it.

Original Recipe: Sweet & Sour Chicken Apricot Skewers











Desserts

Option 1: Black Forest Pavlova with Espresso Cream
Orgasm in my mouth...  need I say more?

Original Recipe: Black Forest Pavlova











Option 2: Pear & Pistachio Crisp
I really wonder what this combination would taste like.

Original Recipe: Pear & Pistachio Crisp









Option 3: Caramel Filled Brownies
The delicious warm gooeyness....  Yum

Original Recipe: Caramel Filled Brownies








Option 4: Apple Bread Pudding Cake
Bread Pudding... Good...  Apple...  Good....  Cake....  Good what could go wrong?

Original Recipe: Apple Bread Pudding Cake









There are your choices!  Now get your votes in :)  Thank you in advance.

Pear Apple Glazed Pork Tederloins

Delicious and a good way to eat some fruit :)

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp Oil

3 Pork Tenderloins

Seasoning (Mediterranean Sea  Salt, Mediterranean Basil, Tarragon, dash of Cinnamon)

1 Pear (Cored and sliced)

2 Small Apples (cored and sliced)

3 Tbsp Butter (melted)

3 Tbsp Apple Butter Syrup

1 Tbsp Sugar

1 Tbsp Honey

Directions:

Pour the oil into the skillet and add the pork and add the seasoning.  Cook on medium for about 15-20 minutes until cooked all the way through.  Turn the heat down to low and add the pears and apple slices.  Simmer until softened. 

To make the glaze combine all remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly.  Spoon over the pork, turn and spoon over the other side, simmer for a couple of minutes until warmed.  Serve by spooning glaze and fruit over the pork.  Enjoy!

Add pork and season

Add the pears and apple slices

Spoon the glaze over the pork

Serve & Enjoy!