Crockpot Maple Sugared Pork

This is my new favorite pinterest inspired recipe! I love sweet meat, especially pork, and this has enough sweetness without being TOO much.

Ingredients: 2 lbs pork tenderloins, 3 minced garlic cloves, 4 tbsp dijon mustard, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp grade b maple syrup (the darker, the better), 1 tbsp corn starch, 1 tbsp water.

Directions: Mix all ingredients and pour over pork in the crockpot. Cook on high for 4 hrs on low for 7.

Almond Crusted Tilapia

As a new mom I still want to cook gourmet but now lack the ability to make repeated trips to the store for special ingredients and the time. So I've returned to my oldies but goodies...apologies if this is a repeat post, I'm working off limited sleep these days (and yes, I'm going to use that card as an excuse for everything from now on!)

Ingredients: 3 tilapia fillets (I use 3 to feed 2 since they're small and thin, grey poupon or other similar mustard, chopped almonds.

Directions: Chop almonds until fine but still have good sized nut chunks and place in a dredging dish. Squirt mustard, usually about 1/4- 1/2 cup in a dredging dish. Dry talapia fillets then salt and pepper them. Dredge in the mustard covering both sides completely, then dredge in the almond mixture covering completely. Cook in a skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes each side. Be careful, these cook fast!

Adapted Version of Chicken Cordon Blue

I prefer gorgonzola cheese to blue and prosciutto to ham so I made up this version of chicken cordon bleu. Baking instead of pan frying, using less cheese, and panko crumbs instead of bread crumbs make this a healthier alternative to the regular recipe.

Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts- fat trimmed and pounded until thin, 4 slices of prosciutto, 2 tbsp gorgonzola cheese crumbled, 4 tbsp panko crumbs,  4 tbsp flour, 1 egg beaten.

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lay the chicken breast flat and top with prosciutto and 1 tbsp cheese then roll it up like a jelly roll. Make separate dishes of flour, egg, and panko crumbs. Roll chicken in the flour, then in the egg, then dredge in panko crumbs. Repeat with second chicken breast. Spray a olive oil on top for a nice browning. Place on a cookie sheet or oven safe plate and cook for 20-25 minutes, turning the chicken half way through. Cut through the center to make sure chicken is cooked all the way through. MMmmmmm!

Boston Cream Strata

I have to admit, this was a pinterest inspired recipe but the recipe had a complex and fattening, probaby more boston cream like center. This one has 3 ingredients, well 4 counting the milk to make the pudding, and is easy (and fun) enough for kids to make!

Ingredients: graham crackers, box of vanilla (sugar-free if you want to limit the sugar in this recipe) pudding, cup of milk to make pudding, chocolate frosting (I prefer dark chocolate frosting, but use whatever you like).

Directions: Make pudding according to instructions on box. Line a layer of graham crackers on the bottom of a 9X13 dish (or feel free to use any size dish to add or shorten the amount). Layer half of the pudding on the graham crackers then top with a second layer of graham crackers. Layer the rest of the pudding then top with a third layer of graham crackers. It's easiest to put the frosting on the crackers before adding the last layer so spread the frosting on the graham crackers evenly then top. Place in the fridge for at least 45 minutes before serving, the pudding softens up the graham crackers for a delicious layered Boston Cream-like dessert!