Braised Spicy Chicken with 40 Garlic Cloves

Forty garlic cloves sound like a lot of garlic!  Some of you probably wonder how pungent or garlicky this dish is… Considering the large amount of garlic cloves in it.  If you are slightly worried… don’t be.  Because the garlic cloves are left whole and undisturbed.  Peeled of course!  The garlic remained mild and slightly sweet in flavors.  Not too strong at all.  The dish gives a nice surprise… And it makes you look forward in anticipation… to have at least one garlic clove in every bite.  Maybe I should have called this dish Garlic Lovers’ Delight with chicken… (chuckle).

So for garlic lovers out there… this dish is for you…

Kitchen equipment or tools needed:  Oven proof pot or skillet with lid or a large baking dish.

Ingredients:

3 ½ – 4 pounds chicken drumsticks or other parts you like

40 large garlic cloves – about 3 large garlic heads

1 medium onion – sliced

Zest and Juice of 1 large lemon

1 tsp. dried thyme

2 TBSPs. cornstarch

2 cups chicken broth or boiling water + 2 chicken bouillon cubes

2 TBSPs. chili garlic sauce (or to taste)

3 TBSPs. olive oil + 1 TBSP. vegetable oil

Spices and Seasoning:

3 tsps. kosher salt

1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp. cayenne

1 tsp. ground cumin

Combine seasoning spices and seasoning in a small bowl. Set aside.

Wash chicken and pat excess water with paper towels.  Generously sprinkle spices and seasoning mixture on the chicken pieces, patting lightly for it to adhere. Set aside.

Place garlic cloves in a large bowl and pour hot water over them.  Let it stand for about 2 minutes.  Immediately pour the water off the garlic.  Peel the garlic cloves and trim the root end.  Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Heat a large, deep, oven proof pot or skillet and the olive and vegetable oil.  Just before the oil starts to smoke… brown the chicken pieces on all sides.  Transfer browned chicken to a large dish.  Set aside.

Using the same pot or skillet… sauté the peeled garlic cloves until wilted.  Remove wilted garlic to a platter and set aside.

Sauté the sliced onions until translucent.  Deglaze the skillet with the boiling chicken broth, scraping the browned bits and pieces stock at the bottom of the skillet. Add dried thyme and lemon zest.  Stir and simmer the broth over medium heat.

In a small bowl… combine cornstarch with one tablespoon water.

Slowly whisk in the cornstarch mixture into the simmering broth.

Place the browned chicken pieces back into the skillet.  Stir to make sure the chicken is somewhat submerge in the broth.  Transfer this skillet into the preheated oven and bake chicken for 30 minutes.

Remove the skillet from the oven and stir the chicken.  Add the wilted garlic cloves and chili garlic sauce.  Stir to combine.

Bake the chicken for another 15 minutes.  Taste for additional salt and black pepper.

Serve with Wasabi Mashed Potatoes or  Rosemary Red Roasted Potatoes Or Mashed Potatoes.

Sorry guys.  I don’t have step by step instruction photos for this dish.   I will have to put this on my “to do” list.

Rosemary Red Roasted Potatoes

Creamy Wasabi Mashed Potatoes:

Ingredients:

4 large baking potatoes (about 4 pounds) – scrubbed and skin intact

3 TBSPs. butter

¾ – 1 cup warm heavy cream – start with ½ cup and go from there

½ – 1 tsp. kosher salt

½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 TBSP. Genuine Wasabi paste (or according to taste.  I use S & B Brand.)

Boil potatoes in their skins until tender, about 45 – 50 minutes.

Peel potatoes while still hot.  (I use a tong to hold the potatoes so I don’t burn myself.)

Place in a large bowl.  Add butter and mash the potatoes.  Add warm heavy cream, salt and black pepper. Fold in to combine.  Fold in the Wasabi paste.

Serve warm.

Enjoy and Happy Cooking!

Tess Harris

Guilty Feet Have Got No Rhythm

“To the heart and mind ignorance is kind.
There’s no comfort in the truth
pain is all you’ll find.”
(George Michael, from Careless Whisper)

 

“Dad can I go see the dance?”

“No you cannot! Dancing is a sin…!”

“But Dad… am just going to watch….”

“Don’t let me tell you again…!”

“Ugggghhhh.” I sighed in disappointment.

I wish my dad would let me go see the dance.  I really just wanted to watch since he forbids me to dance.  I’ve seen it – the dance I mean, a few times with my Mom.  On those occasions when I got to see the dance my Mom and I sold sweet stuff.  We set up a small  table and placed our basket full of rolled cassava filled with sweetened coconuts.  Often, my Mom took advantage of events like this.  This is one of the ways she made money for the family, which helped put food on the table.  Though I wish we weren’t working  each time I was at the dance.  But it was better than not seeing it at all.

I often wonder why my Dad wouldn’t let me dance.  I knew he considered it a sin, but now I wonder maybe it was because I was only twelve years old and really had no business dancing with boys. But of course he never told me so.  Other than telling me it was a sin, he never explained to me why.  I just knew that he detested the idea of me dancing with extreme repugnance.  But what about him? I’ve seen him danced…! He danced over a bed of red, hot coal during one of the many rituals he performed at one of his religious ceremony.  OK… maybe it wasn’t really a dance.  I think it was more like an Eskrima form.  Yeah.  He knew and practiced Eskrima during my childhood, every night, before he went to bed.

When I was 12, the barrio started a dance event every Friday night.  It was held in an open basketball court, where most of the barrio’s events are held.  In this same court, I also entered a Wee Wee Jamboree, along with my cousin, Villy.  My cousin sang better than I did, so he took in first prize.  I took second.

Teens and young adults are excited and look forward to the dancing every Friday night.  Dancing on Friday nights is the most exciting thing that is happening in our barrio.  Everyone can hardly contain their excitement – walking giddy  all day, especially on Fridays.

The man who owns and sets up the sound system:  the turntable or long album player and the large speakers is also the disk-jockey.  When he smiles, two gold teeth in his upper teeth shine against the beaming sun.  His name is Mr. Rubio.  He’s also married to my science teacher in 5th grade.  A very fine looking woman.  One of the prettiest teachers in our school.  She’s 27.  Tall, pale skin, with prominent cheekbones.  Her dark wavy hair frames her angelic face.  In addition to her graceful beauty, I was fascinated by her handwriting.  I’d watch her in fascination while she writes on the black board.  Every stroke was calculated, and very fine.  It is as if she’s studied calligraphy.  I am an admirer of beautiful handwriting.  When I see someone with a beautiful handwriting I often try to imitate it.  With handwriting, of course, I also collect different sorts of pens as long as it glides well on the paper.  Mr. & Mrs. Rubio have two children, Ruby and Roy, ages 11 and 9.  While she teaches in our school, her husband tends his electronic repair shop located on the first floor of their baby blue painted house.  Theirs is the place to go if you have a broken transistors radio.

At around three o’clock, Mr. Rubio, begins to set up the turntable and the speakers.  By four o’clock he starts playing music to get the whole barrio excited and in the mood for dancing that night.  He sets up three speakers.  One facing to the east, the second facing to the west and the third facing to the south.  The barrio was shaped like a cross, built along the only highway connecting Tacloban City, Imelda Marcos’ hometown, and Ormoc City.  Since the north part of the barrio is not as populated as the south, no speaker facing that way.

There were benches set up on both sides of the court, on opposing direction.  The benches set up on the left side are for the boys, while the benches across on the other side are for the girls.  The middle of the basketball court is left empty and wide open to serve as the dance floor.

The dancing starts at 7pm.  Here’s how it works.  When the music begins to play, the boys would walk over to the other side where the girls are seated and ask the girls to dance with them.  It’s usually a boy and a girl.  A boy picks a girl, usually a girl he would like to woo.  A girl can refuse to dance with a boy she doesn’t like, and wait for another boy.  A boy she much prefers to dance.  The boy who gets rejected moves on and ask another girl to dance.  There is no age limit.  But majority of the girls and the boys are teenagers, and people no older than 25 years old.  Both boys and girls are assumed single and unmarried.  Out of decency, married men and women do not participate in this dance, unless they want to be the “talk” of the barrio the next day, and can bear the rolling eyes and whispers all around.

Most of the boys take advantage of dancing events like these.  This is usually their best chance to talk to a girl, a girl they’ve never had the courage to talk to before.  And in these dances, the boys get to whisper ‘sweet words’ in the girls’ ears during a slow dance, and a chance to put their hands around the girls’ waist, where any other time would have been highly inappropriate.  In these dances, many romances and courtships are formed.

One Friday evening, at around 7 o’clock at night, that’s when the dance starts.  I could hear the song being played, one of my favorite songs.  It was the Bee Gees…

Listen to the ground:
there is movement all around.
There is something goin’ down
and I can feel it.

On the waves of the air,
there is dancin’ out there.
If it’s somethin’ we can share,
we can steal it.

 

Outside the kitchen, under the dark shadows of the trees, I started dancing… and singing…

Then I get night fever, night fever.
We know how to do it.
Gimme that night fever, night fever.
We know how to show it.

Here I am,
Prayin’ for this moment to last,
Livin’ on the music so fine,
Borne on the wind,
Makin’ it mine.

 

… swaying from side to side, bobbing my head, when all of a sudden I heard footsteps.  And then I heard footsteps walking towards me.  And then I head him yell:

“Teresita! What I tell you about dancing?!” He was holding his long, sharp knife, drawn from its sheath.  I stared at him in horror and froze.  All I could think of was – Ooh, ooh. I’m in trouble now.  He saw me danced!

“If I see you moving your feet again I’m going to chop them off!  ‘ you hear me?!”  With the point of the knife aimed towards my feet.  He was five-feet away from me.

“Yee – Yeeess, Dad.”

“Now, go wash your feet and go to bed!”

“Yee – Yeeess, Dad.”

Finally, I felt my blood flowing back into my legs and unfroze them.  I took a step and ran into the kitchen.  I poured cold water onto my dusty feet and dry them off with a torn t-shirt.  I went up to the room and laid down next to my little sister, Elsa.  I was a little embarrassed that my Dad caught me dancing.  And disappointed that I was denied the simple pleasure of a dance. Yet thankful that he didn’t beat me for it.  Or worse, chop my feet like he said he would.

I still couldn’t understand why he thinks dancing is a sin.  He didn’t used to.  Back in Samar, when I was five or six, I remember dancing outside – in the dusty yard, in front of my grandmother’s house with my cousins.  My grandmother, when she was in a good mood, she’d play her Fono – turntable player and watched us, grandchildren dance.  I don’t remember my dad getting upset then.  But then, I don’t remember him being around either, while we’re dancing.  He must have been at the farm still.  He usually stays at the farm until sundown.

It was fun – the dancing.  But my cousins always ruined it for me. When I dance I retreat into my head with the music, and phase everyone out.  So while I was in the moment, one with the music, one of my cousins, Norma, Mana Noynoy I call her because she was older than me, would pull down my underwear, and everyone would burst out laughing.  They think this is funny.  It’s not.  It’s not funny at all.  Not to me.  This is embarrassing and infuriating.  And when I am embarrassed and angry, I become physically violent.  So I’d start running after everyone whose laughing and start hitting them with my fist.  A good dancing session is ruined because of my cousins.  I couldn’t understand why they always picked on me.  Every time!

I still love to dance.  Though I am shy about it.  Especially if there are strangers watching.   I would feel embarrassed.  And I also feel guilty.  Each time I dance I think about how my dad threatened to chop my feet off.  Often when I starts dancing to the music, my son, Ramon smiles and would say, “Mom…  you’re off the beat, and you have no rhythm!”  “Well, baby…  When I was a little girl, I wasn’t allowed to dance.  So of course I don’t have any rhythm!” I’d tell him.   Rhythm or not, I still likes to dance at home once in a while.  I eventually get beat down after a few minutes into the song.  And dancing becomes fun after that.  Though sometimes there’s this voice, a little girl’s voice that nags at me:  “What are you doing?!  Why are you dancing? Stop that!” But I learned to ignore the voice.  I turn the music a little louder and keep on dancing.  I  dance.  And dance some more.  Until my heart’s content.

~~~

This past few months, I’ve had several people, friends from Yahoo 360, asked for my meatloaf recipe.  Thus, I’m posting it here.

This meatloaf recipe takes a bit of time to make.  But i think the extra time is worth it.   When i make this, i usually make this on weekends, when i am not rushed for time.

Spicy Meatloaf
1 ½ pound ground beef – round or chuck (93 – 96% lean)
1 pound ground pork
Sautéed Sweet Onion and Jalapenos – see below
2 extra large beaten eggs
½ cup plain bread crumbs
6 TBSPs. petite diced tomatoes, including the juice
1 tsp. kosher salt
Sauce for topping – see below

Sautéed Sweet Onions and Jalapeno Peppers
5 slices low sodium bacon – chopped
6 garlic cloves – smashed, peeled and finely chopped
1 medium sweet onion (Texas or Vidalia) – finely diced
3 medium sized jalapeno peppers – finely diced
3 medium sized celery sticks – peeled and finely diced
2 tsps. ground cumin
1 TBSP. paprika
1 tsp. dried basil leaves or 1 TBSP. chopped fresh basil
1 tsp. dried chives
1 tsp. beef granules
1 tsp. kosher salt
½ tsp. black pepper

Heat a large skillet and smear it with 2 teaspoons vegetable oil. Add the chopped bacon and sauté until it has rendered about 3 – 4 tablespoons of lard… and slightly crispy.

Add the chopped garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent… about 3 minutes.

Add the chopped jalapeno peppers and celery. Sauté and simmer mixture for about 5 minutes.

Add ground cumin, paprika, basil, chives, beef granules, kosher salt and black pepper. Stir and simmer (over low medium heat) until celery is soft… and the spices have blended well with the rest of the vegetables. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool.

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Lightly butter two – 8” x 4” loaf pans.

In a large mixing bowl…

Combine ground beef and ground pork. Add the cooled vegetable mixture and mix thoroughly with your clean hands.
Add the beaten eggs, bread crumbs, petite diced tomatoes and kosher salt. Again… mix with your hands until all ingredients are combined.

Divide mixture into two equal portions. Form each portion into loaf and place in a lightly greased loaf pans.

Pour the sauce over the meat loaves… smoothing the top with spatula.

Place the loaf pans in a heavy-duty cookie sheet and bake uncovered, in a preheated oven for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Turn off the heat and keep the meatloaves in the oven for another 15 minutes. Remove from the oven. Pour off excess oil that has accumulated in the pan.

(Some people bake their meatloaf between 1 hour and 30 minutes or until the meatloaf reach a temperature of 160°F… BUT… this doesn’t work for us… Don’t worry… even after of almost two hours of baking time… these meat loaves are moist… tender… and melt in your mouth!)

Slice and serve meat loaves with mashed potatoes… and Sweet Onion and Bacon Bits Gravy.

Zesty Sauce Topping for the Meatloaf:
¾ cup ketchup
¼ cup Heinz 57 sauce or your favorite barbecue sauce
2 TBSPs. French Yellow Mustard
½ TBSp. worchestire sauce
½ tsp. ground hot peppers (optional)

Whisk together in a bowl… and pour over the meat loaves before baking.

Simple Mashed Potatoes

When I don’t have very much time… I peel and cut the potatoes in 2 or 3 pieces and then boil with 1 tsp. coarse sea salt. The potatoes cook in about 30 minutes and ready to be mashed and seasoned.

4 large potatoes (about 4 pounds) – boiled
3 cloves garlic – unpeeled (optional)
2 – 3 TBSPs. butter
½ – 1 cup warm milk
1 tsp. kosher salt
½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Wash potatoes and cut split them in half or thirds.  Place in large pot and add the garlic.  Cover with water, about 1 inch above the potatoes.  Add salt.    Cover pot and boil potatoes over medium heat for 25 – 30 minutes or until potatoes are soft.  Remove the garlic and peel them.  Set aside.  Drain the water and place the potatoes back in the pot.  Keep the pot on the stove, over a very low heat.  Add butter and mash the potatoes.  Add milk.  Start with ½ cup and add more milk for thinner consistency.  Season with salt and black pepper.

Serve with the Spicy Meatloaf and Sweet Onion Gravy.

Sweet Onion Gravy with Bacon Bits:

5 slices low sodium bacon – chopped
3 cloves garlic – smashed, peeled and finely diced
½ medium sweet onion – finely diced
1 tsp. dried thyme
6 TBSPs. all purpose flour
3 cups beef stock or boiling water + 3 beef bouillion cubes
1 tsp. coarse sea salt if needed – taste gravy before adding
¼ tsp. ground black pepper

Heat a large skillet and smear it with 2 teaspoons vegetable oil. Add the chopped bacon. Sauté bacon until has rendered about 4 tablespoons of lard, but not too crispy.

Add chopped garlic and sauté until garlic until light golden brown. Add onions and sauté until soft.

Add the flour and stir until flour is coated with the lard and form a sand texture. Keep stirring until flour is light golden brown.  Whisk in ½ cup beef stock… Whisk until mixture forms into a thick paste. Whisk in the remaining beef stock, ½ cup at a time until all 3 cups are added. Continue whisking until mixture is smooth and free of lumps.

Lower the heat to medium low… and simmer gravy until it thickens… for about 5 – 10 minutes.

Serve over mashed potatoes and Spicy Meatloaf…

before baking.

after 1 hour & 45 minutes.

ready to serve.

Tess’ Kitchen Secrets:

#1 – I usually like my mashed potatoes to have a zesty flavor.  So I add one tablespoon of wasabi paste to it, and two or 3 tablespoons of sour cream. If you haven’t used wasabi in your mashed potatoes before, start with one teaspoon.  Taste and add more if you like.

#2 -  The sauteed sweet onions and jalapeno peppers and the glaze or topping are  what makes this meatloaf taste extra ordinary.  Jalapeno peppers are not spicy if you remove the seeds and ribs off it.

#3 – As for the gravy.  I like the bacon bits in it. Its what makes the gravy tasty.  However, the  bacon can’t be crispy.  It must still be a little limp so it flows with the gravy’s creaminess.

Enjoy and Happy Cooking!

Tess Harris

Job Hunting is NO FUN Game

It sure isn’t.  No sirree.

Not a fun game at all… because it’s not a game.   It is a full time job in itself and requires dedication and strong commitment.  It’s important to keep your hopes and enthusiasms up; energy level regulated, especially when frustration sets in.  If you are an adult and have job hunted before…  you know all the mixed feelings and emotions that go with job hunting:  excitement and anxiety, dread, impatience, frustration, anger, and feeling of rejection.  All these feelings are too familiar to me…

As a military man’s wife, we moved several times – about every four years, on average.  We’ve moved from three different countries:  Philippines, United States, and Japan.  In the United States alone, we’ve moved from five different states: South Carolina, Arkansas, Colorado, Nevada and Texas; and five different cities. I didn’t have to worry about a job in the Philippines, because I was a professional student.  But when I came to the U.S., I have had to get a job in each one of these states, except Texas.

When I first came to the U.S…. I didn’t have any bankable work experience.  Instead, I was over educated and therefore over qualified for most of the jobs I applied for.  A bachelor’s degree and 2 years of graduate studies… but no work experience worked highly against me.  Not only this… I think the worst part was that, I had no office skills.  I couldn’t even type!  So…I went to a trade school to learn office skills as suggested by my husband.  And, I guess it was his way of getting me out of the house and socialize with other people so I can stay sane… He was like – you’re going a little crazy on me.

When I finally managed to land my first job, I was a nervous wreck.  I was so anxious I couldn’t sleep on the night before I was to start on my very first job in the states.  The following morning… on my way to work, I ran a stop sign and almost got hit by a big rig truck!

~~~

If you are young and new to the “business” of job hunting, it can even be more intimidating, especially if you are only in your teens and doing it alone…

Thank God our son is not doing it alone.  We always tell him how lucky he is… He’s got parents who support him 100%.  His mother is willing to drive wherever he needs to go, so he can focus and reserve his mental and physical energy for the real task at hand – filling out applications, interviews and weld test.  His father…very responsible and the best anyone could have, who wholeheartedly finance his early journey into adulthood life:  his schooling, board and lodging, job hunting process, and travel… up until he is able to support himself and stand on his own two feet…

I often ask my husband these questions:

“How do other kids do it, especially the ones who are fresh out of high school?”

“They’re just kids.  I don’t think they are prepared to face the world, let alone find their place in life…?!”

But my husband answers me with these questions too:

“How did you do it, Tess?”

“Were your parents there with you when you looked for your first job?”

“They give you up at 13 years old!”

“You had to walk to school, under a hot blazing sun, so you could save a penny because your sister did not give you an allowance!”

“You are right.  I did not do it.  I fell flat on my face and failed.  I made the wrong decisions which affected the rest of my life.” I’d answer him almost teary eyed.

“But I didn’t give up.  And in the midst of all those wrong decisions, I got lucky along the way…  And then I met you… finished college, and even went to graduate school.  Yes…  All thanks to you…” I’d quip. Teary eyed.

~~~

Other parents would think we are over protecting him; we are babying him too much.  How is he ever going to learn? They’d say.

It’s OK… because we rather have him learn from us, and through our examples, than learn from his peers.  Because the problem with most young adults is that… they listen to their friends for advice because their parents are too busy to pay attention to them.  They do things based on their friends’ advice… friends their own age!  Who, really… are not capable of giving advice.  It is the case of the “blind… leading the blind.”

I certainly do not claim to be a great mother.  Far from it.  I can be immature most times.  It’s his dad that deserves most of the credit.  He keeps me in line… to do the right thing and I often don’t.  I was treated like shit by my sister – half sister, and my parents certainly did not care that much about me.  Yeah… I’m bitter about it… just a little, when I’m reminded…

We know a lot of people, but we don’t know a single person, whose parents were there all the way to support their children.  I don’t even have to venture far to find examples.  My own sister – half sister’s kids are left to their own device.  But this would be a novel in itself.  Her men, her family, her kids, their lives…

~~~

So… what’s all this talk about job hunting anyway? What’s the point?

Well… Ramon graduated two weeks early from Tulsa Welding School, with a 4.0 GPA, and with Perfect Attendance.  And in the same week he finished, he had his first job interview in Forth Worth with a large staffing company.  And then the following week, which was last week, he’s got his first promising job lead – a private company in Dallas who is very interested in his work.  He is just now playing the waiting game… and practicing his patience.

He decided he wants to work in the Dallas – Fort Worth area as a TIG Welder – a more specialized type of welder.

In welding, there are different types and processes, and TIG or GTAW is the type of weld used with stainless steel, aluminum, magnesium and copper alloys.  This type of weld is primarily used with food service and kitchen equipment, aerospace components, surgical and pharmaceutical components, automotive exhaust and nuclear piping components.

He fell in love with this type of welding because of its versatility; it’s clean and quality finish; and he’d be working under a more controlled and better working environment.   As I’m finding out, TIG welding is usually reserved for the person who has been welding for the company for a long time, sort of a reward.  And the fact that in normal cases, it takes 3 or more years to get the “hand-eye coordination and control” needed to TIG weld.  Control with precision is the name of the game. Ramon has picked up the TIG welding skills in a very short time.  He can weld as wells as the person who’s got years of experience.  Call it a gift.  Or maybe it’s a talent.  He jokes that his secret is playing video games since he was 2 years old.

Hmmm… I’m glad I encouraged him to play video games at an early age… I’m thinking to myself.

No matter your skills, you’re still at the mercy of people who don’t know you at all, to give you a chance to prove how great you are.  This is the part of job hunting that SUCKS! And it can dampen someone’s spirit.  I wish he didn’t have to go through this, but for someone who is new to the industry and have yet to build “connections” there is no avoiding it…  At least Ramon knows this, and he is willing to start at the bottom. Pay his dues, hone his skills and build contacts.

True.  Not everyone goes through this.  The graduates whose family, relatives, and friends are already in the industry; their paths has already been paved for them…

The school seemed to over promise the students at the very beginning.  Enticing them with how easy it is to find a welding job and how handsomely it pays.  And I think they are right – there are plenty of MIG welding and shutdown jobs out there.  And money is the biggest draw for most of the welding students at TWS.  When I attended Ramon’s orientation, only him and another kid was there to study welding because they love it.  The rest of the class was there for the MONEY.  And who can blame them.  Most people work to pay the bills.

Yes, the money is there.  The money is good for welders especially for the ones who are willing to perform grueling labor.  Work 10 – 12 hours, 6 – 7 days a week; must be willing to travel different cities and states, and stay in rinky dink motels.  These jobs are not for the faint of heart.  These jobs are for people who want to make a lot of money, over a short period of time, and at whatever cost.  These jobs are called “shutdowns” and “new constructions” and pay very well… between $16 to $38 an hour.

But I learned from my son that… YES, there is good money in “shutdown jobs.” But he said:

“But you know mom… they don’t pay you for nothing.  You work your asses off to get paid that much money, and there is a lot of risk involved. Depending on what type of “shutdowns” you are working on… you’d be exposed to chemicals and hazardous materials.  In some cases, you’d be working next to an ex-felons.   And your body gets beat up.  You get worked like an animal.  I like the money… but I’d also like to be alive and healthy to spend it.  I enjoy welding and would like to weld for the rest of my life.  Not just five years.  “Shutdowns” are something people do short term and retire.  I don’t want to retire.  So… shutdowns” are going to be my very last resort.”

~~~

After all the driving and shuttling back and forth between two states – Oklahoma and Texas and four cities: Tulsa, Abilene, Dallas and Fort Worth, I managed to cook this dish while we were home, resting in Abilene for a few days…

I was extremely tired after 8 hours of driving in the Dallas – Fort Worth and back to Abilene.  So I wanted to cook something quick and easy when I get home.  Besides, my husband would appreciate a good, home cooked meal.

I decided to cook Roasted Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloins, Wasabi Mashed Potatoes, and Brown Gravy.

I usually make my own chicken stock and gravy from scratch.  But today, I didn’t have time.  So I went to the store and bought Swanson chicken stock, and McCormick Brown Gravy.  I took a short cut.

Roasted Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloins:

2 pork tenderloins (about 1½ pound each)

Fennel and Coriander Spice Rub – see recipe below

8 thick slices bacon

Remove the white shiny film off the tenderloins and pat it lightly with paper towels to dry off excess water.

Generously sprinkle fennel and coriander spice rub on the tenderloins – sprinkle spices on all sides and press lightly.  Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Wrap each pork tenderloin with 4 slices of bacon, securing the bacon with toothpick.

Place bacon wrapped pork tenderloins in a heavy duty baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, and roast for 1 hour in a preheated oven at 375°F.

Serve with the Wasabi Mashed Potatoes with brown gravy.

Fennel and Coriander Spice Rub:

1 TBSP. ground fennel seeds

1 TBSP. ground coriander seeds

2 tsps. kosher salt

1 tsp. ground black pepper

Combine and sprinkle on pork tenderloins.

Wasabi Mashed Potatoes:

6 medium size potatoes – peeled and washed

4 cloves garlic – unpeeled

3 TBSPs. butter

½ – ¾ cup chicken stock

½ – ¾ tsp. kosher salt or to taste

½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

2 – 3 tsps. S & B wasabi paste or according to taste

Slice potatoes into ½ inch thick.  Place in a large pot and cover with cold tap water. Also add the cloves of garlic.  Add 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt or 2 teaspoons kosher salt, and bring the potatoes to a boil.  (To keep the water from over boiling, add 1 tablespoon of butter to the boiling water.)  Boil potatoes for about 30 minutes or until tender.

Remove the garlic and pull the skin off.  Set them aside.

Strain potatoes and place in a large bowl.  Add the garlic, and butter, and mash the potatoes.  And then add the kosher salt, black pepper, chicken stock.  Fold in the wasabi paste.

Serve with brown gravy.

Brown Gravy:

4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

2 tablespoons butter

3 McCormick Brown Gravy packets

3 cups chicken stock (I used store bought)

Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

In a medium size sauce pan, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until light golden brown, over medium heat.  Add the brown gravy packets and slowly whisk in the chicken stock.  Keep whisking until gravy mix is totally dissolve and mixture comes to a boil.  Season as necessary.

Drizzle over gravy and pork tenderloins.

Enjoy and Happy Cooking!

Tess