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Friday, December 24, 2021

Happy Christmas Eve! (Pork Loin Roast Recipe)


This morning's sunrise.

Such a beautiful sight.

These days I am seeing orange in shades from yellow orange to rust everywhere I turn.

You know what they say? (Whomever THEY are?) that you will find more of what you focus on.

It's like thinking you are buying a unique car, and once you are behind the driver's seat - you start noticing that your car is not so unique - you see it everywhere.

What you seek, you will find.

If you are always looking to find fault, you will always find it.


Juniper green to rust.

I see it not only in this morning's sunrise, but in the colors happening in the Inn's back yard!

The setting of pavers began in earnest yesterday, as Jeff came up to show his dad how it's done.

This is what Jeff does for his job - he's a hardscaper specializing in patios, walkways, retaining walls and water features.


Building walkways up to an old wooden porch is proving to be a bit interesting.  the porch steps are not square to the walkway so a bit of angling on the very top pavers that meet the step need to be trimmed at a very slight angle.

It's been really fun to watch this whole thing unfold and how hard they are working to get it RIGHT.

In other green and orange news:


The sewing has begun on my alternate blocks.


I turned my stacks over from the photo in Yesterday's Post because I want to press these pairs toward the green.

I also followed the same hint with these as presented in Rhododendron Trail Part Four.  I ran 11 units through the machine, and trimmed the first 10 from behind my presser foot, leaving the 11th pair in place under my needle.

I then ran 10 more, trimmed off 10, 10 more, trimmed off 10, leaving me ironing board lengths of triangles still connected to each other for chain pressing at the ironing board before snipping apart, removing dog ears, matching pairs so they were ready to sew into hourglass units.


This didn't take long!

The next biggest hint I can give on these - if you are spinning the seams - TRIM TRIM TRIM those chaining threads and thread tails right up to the fabric of the seam allowance so that spinning is easy.

If you are fighting the spin, it could be that there are just a few twisted thread tails in the way.  They will release much easier if you cut them right up to the fabric.  I do this at the same time I am clipping the dog ears after sewing the halves together.


Next in the line up -

Pieces for the alternate blocks!

I hit up my Scrap User's System FIRST, pulling what I can from my pre-cut strips.  But I need some wider cuts today so I'll be bringing over a few shoe-boxes of neutrals from my Fat Quarter wall


Dinner - completely delicious pork loin roast!

I am gaga over this one - I cooked it in the instant pot and it turned out fantastic!  There is plenty for leftovers.

Ingredients

2 to 2-1/2 pound boneless pork loin roast (Not a tenderloin)
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
3/4 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chicken broth (1 tablespoon Better Than Bouillon in 1 cup hot water)

Instructions:

1. Pat pork loin roast with paper towels and allow to rest outside of fridge for 20 minutes before cooking.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, garlic, brown sugar, soy sauce, lemon zest, parsley, and thyme.

3. Season pork loin with salt and pepper; then, brush the butter mixture all around the meat. Set aside.

4. Press the Sauté function on the Instant Pot and heat up the olive oil. When oil is hot, sear the pork loin on all sides until browned, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove pork from Instant Pot and set aside.

5. Add broth to the Instant Pot and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom.

6. Cancel the Sauté function and place a trivet in the IP and set the pork on top of the trivet. Lock the lid and pressure cook at HIGH PRESSURE for 25 minutes. Then, let pressure come down naturally for 15 minutes, and quick release any remaining pressure. Open the lid and check internal temperature at the thickest part of roast with an instant read meat thermometer; it should read 145 ̊F. If it’s less than this, place the lid back on the pot to let the carryover heat cook the pork to doneness. Shouldn’t take more than few minutes.

7. Transfer pork loin to a cutting board and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing. This will help seal in the juices.

8. In the meantime, prepare the pan-sauce: Select the Sauté function on the IP and bring liquid to a boil. Continue to cook at a slow boil for 5 minutes, or until reduced by half, stirring occasionally.

Slice the pork and serve with the pan juices.

I served the roast with mashed potatoes and green beans.

The pan juices were delicious over the green beans as well.  it was just what we needed after a hard working day!

Today we'll be back at it again - the temps are crazy warm for this time of year, and we are bound to get that walkway done before REAL winter sets in.

The high expected for today?  58!  I'll take it!

I will be taking Christmas and the day after off from blogging, so let me wish a very Merry Christmas to those who celebrate. And warm happy wishes to everyone, no matter how you spend this day.


Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Jingle Bell Square quilt from the Addicted to Scraps book.

May your holiday be filled with love and laughter and those you care for!
Even if it is by Zoom, FaceTime or Duo!
Have a wonderful Christmas weekend, and I'll catch you back here for Rhododendron Trail Part Five on Monday 12/27/21.


 

40 comments:

  1. the merriest of holidays to you and your family bonnie...so thankful for your inspiration, guidance and generosity...no white christmas here in MD either...

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  2. Merry Christmas Bonnie, to you and yours. It's supposed to hit 80 degrees here in NE Oklahoma today. No complaints from me.
    Thanks so much for the pork loin recipe. I've copied it and will give it a try soon.

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  3. Merry Christmas Bonnie! Thank you for all you do for us

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  4. Merry Christmas, Bonnie to you and your family.Thank you again for mystery quilts.i wish you could know how much frolic helped me thru a hard christmas season! Take care,oh and the pork loin looks so good!

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  5. Good to have a Professional in the family. I love a Yummy Pork roast. Making Ham for Christmas Day. Today, it's leftovers for the Hubby. I will be stitching!

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  6. Wouldn’t you know…this was the first Friday I remembered the mystery quilt clues, and realized once I opened the blog, that the post was for Monday this week…😲. Have a wonderful weekend everyone and be safe if you’re traveling!

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  7. Merry Christmas to all. Seeing son after 2 1/2 years 😀 triple vaccinated and recent quick test so we can gather with my compromised husband. Sadly no youngsters but it is best.

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  8. Merry Christmas, Bonnie, to you and your family. You give me so much inspiration day after day and I’m so very thankful to have met you and taken a class from you. I love scrappy quilts!

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  9. I woke up this morning to a little snow on the ground and its cold! Looking forward to a small family gathering. Hope you and yours have a safe and Happy Holiday!

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  10. Merry Christmas from Northern Illinois! I think it's supposed to be almost 50 tomorrow.
    I will also copy the pork loin recipe. It sounds wonderful.

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  11. Have a very Merry Christmas, Bonnie. Enjoy your family even if some will be by long distance. The pavers are looking fantastic and your new green and orange quilt is going to be another great one. Thank you for your gift of time and expertise to all of us Quiltvillaholics. Blessings to you and your family this Christmas and into the New Year.

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  12. Merry Christmas! Thanks for your blog, love reading it. Enjoy the family.

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  13. Merry Christmas to you and yours, including pets. thank you for all you do for us - mysteries, patterns, advice, everyday living. You are a blessing to us. hugs, patti in central florida where it is finally back to 68F

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  14. Merry Christmas! Enjoy your family and the holiday!

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  15. Merry Christmas Bonnie and fellow Quilters. May your needle be sharp and your bobbin full.

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  16. I recognize the orange in the top left block, it was a fabric called Satinesque and I loved it! When they quit making it I bought as much as I could in many colors and have hoarded it over the years. Using a cranberry color of it in my Rhodedemdrum Trail

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  17. Merry Christmas - so glad that the weather is cooperating with the walkway project. I plan to enjoy some down time after a very fun and busy week. We might have a slight chance at a bit of snow. Cold and damp - great weather for relaxing by the kiva.

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  18. Bonnie, I enjoy your blog the first thing of a morning...love all the pics you post and pray you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year...those two pets of yours are amazing also...would love to visit Quiltville Inn one day..Texas weather is going to be in the 80's here.. but we take everything we get as a blessing..

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  19. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, Bonnie. And thanks for the pork loin recipe.

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  20. 48 here in the So Cal Desert. Snow on the mountains to the west. Wishing you and the family an amazing Christmas!!!

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  21. Merry Christmas, Bonnie, and thanks for your good wishes. Enjoy your weekend!

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  22. Merry Christmas,enjoy your holiday and I will look forward to Monday reveal!🎄

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  23. Merry Christmas and God bless you and your family!

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  24. Feliz Navidad para todos.

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  25. Bonnie,


    Merry Christmas to you and your family. I am looking forward to a few days off.

    Patty

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  26. Merry Christmas to you and your family!! God bless you!!

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  27. Thanks for all the great tips and pattern ideas and pictures. I am grateful for 5 continuing 'pinpals' I've made over time through open studio connections.

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  28. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Enjoy your down time, you certainly deserve it. The walk way looks fabulous.

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  29. It is a New Year's good luck tradition in Berks County Pa to have pork and sauerkraut. I will try your pork recipe and make the kraut on the side. It sounds simple and delicious! Merry Christmas!

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  30. Merry Christmas to you Bonnie!! What sweet men you have! Merry Christmas to all Quiltvillians!!!!!

    The recipe looks delish. I gave my IP to my nephew, I just wasn't really using it (please no comments, it just wasn't for me). He was ecstatic to get it and I was just as thrilled to give it to someone who appreciated the gesture and will use it.

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  31. Wishing you and your family Merry Christmas. Appreciate all the gifts you give to us throughout the year. Hope you have a Blessed 2022!

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  32. Merry Christmas to you, Bonnie and your family!

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  33. Wishing a happy Christmas to you and your family, Bonnie!

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  34. Merry Christmas Bonnie, hope you have a wonderful Holiday with your son!

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  35. Just wanting to wish you and your wonderful family a very Merry Christmas! (p.S.) that roast looks good & I am willing to give it a try!
    Thank you for sharing your ideas and new things you find!

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  36. Merry Christmas, love the walkway, congrats to those hard working guys!

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  37. Madly looking for Monday's post -- it's only Sunday!!! You posted you were taking today off too! So glad I read it again... holiday brain lost track of the days! Hope you and all are having the most wonderful Christmas... the orange & green as yet to be named "thing" looks wonderful, as does your walkway! Hooray for menfolks that love to do for us... and hooray for all YOU do for us... Cats in Carlsbad CA

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  38. So far, I have not found a pork roast recipe that works for me so I am excited to try yours. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas.

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