I think that I got my passion for all things ‘foodie’ from my wonderful Mom. She truly is a superb cook and has spent many years creating the most wonderful dishes for my Dad, myself, family and friends and many people across the world in the name of my Dad’s work. Some of our American friends used to refer to her as “the hostess with the mostest” which she truly is.
My Mom and Dad have had a family friend staying over the last few days so last night, I was lucky enough to spend a wonderful evening in the company of my family. As always, Mom’s food didn’t disappoint.
For the main course, she cooked one of my favourite dishes, ‘Devilled Pork Medallions’ served with roasted butternut squash, coriander mash and green beans. The recipe comes from a fantastic cookbook ‘Dinners in a Dash’ by Tessa Harvard Taylor. The cookbook is basically full of quick, simple yet impressive dinner party menus and recipes for all seasons.
Devilled Pork Medallions
Serves 8
3 pork tenderloin fillets
150g plain yogurt (Optional)
Paprika
For the marinade:
3 tbsp marmalade
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp tomato ketchup
1 tbsp curry powder
1 tsp whole grain mustard
3cm cube fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 lemons, zest and juice
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper
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Mix all the marinade ingredients together and pour over the pork fillets in a roasting dish. Marinade for 45 mins or overnight if possible.
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Cook in the oven, uncovered, for 40-45 minutes, basting with marinade half way through cooking.
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To serve, slice the pork into medallions and arrange on each plate. Put a blob of yoghurt on top and sprinkle with paprika.
Note: If you exclude the natural yogurt, this dish can be dairy free.
Although the marinade may sound a bit disgusting, I would really recommend it because it is delicious!
For dessert, Mom made Rachel Allen’s ‘Baked Raspberry and Ricotta Cheesecake’. It was the first time she had made the recipe and one I am sure she will be trying again as it was really creamy and delicious!
I really did have a lovely evening and the food was excellent as usual. Last Christmas, I bought my Mom an Emma Bridgewater apron with ‘Domestic Goddess, Kitchen Queen’ printed on it….sums up some of her many accomplishments I think!
P.S – My Mom, like all good cooks, has had her fair share of disasters! They all make us better cooks after all. On one memorable occasion she served a cheesecake at a dinner party which she had forgotten to put any sugar in…..! There weren’t many compliments on the pudding that night that’s for sure but luckily, on this occasion, she remembered to double check that she had added the sugar!
