Pork Tenderloin with Mustard Sauce

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 3 pork slices, about 3 tablespoons sauce, and about 1/2 cup noodles)

2 cups uncooked medium egg noodles
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (1-pound) pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut crosswise into 12 (1-inch-thick) slices
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup dry white wine
3 tablespoons whole-grain Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons cornstarch

Cook noodles according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain.

While the noodles cook, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the pork with pepper and salt. Place pork in pan; cook 5 minutes, turning once.

Combine the wine and mustard; pour into pan. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Remove pork from pan; keep warm.

Combine water and cornstarch in a small bowl. Stir cornstarch mixture into pan; bring to a boil, and cook 1 minute or until thick. Serve pork with sauce and noodles.

In Season: Watermelon

Watermelon hits its prime in August, sweetening backyard barbecues, lazy-day picnics on the grass, and beach parties. It boasts an unbeatable combination for long, hot days: It’s colorful, sweet, crunchy, refreshing, and portable. In addition to quenching thirst― watermelon is 92 percent water―it provides hefty doses of vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and lycopene (a disease-fighting antioxidant found in red fruits and vegetables).

Watermelon’s appeal dates back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians commemorated watermelons in hieroglyphics. Thought to originate in Africa’s Kalahari Desert, watermelons probably were introduced to America by African slaves, according to John Egerton, author of Southern Food. Today, China produces the majority of the world’s crop. In the United States, Florida leads the way in watermelon production, followed by California, Texas, and Georgia.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner in Austin

3 classic meals in our picks for the best restaurants in Austin

For Austin, geography is destiny. The texas town's famous South by Southwest music festival takes its name from its location: To the east lies the rich farmland and green cotton fields that make the state part of the Old South. To the west, the rocky Hill Country and ranching culture of the Southwest begins. This is where catfish and corn bread meet steak and tacos—all given a creative, modern spin in a city whose unofficial motto is "Keep Austin Weird."

BREAKFAST: Hoover's Cooking
On weekend mornings, the place to go for a nostalgic Southern breakfast is Hoover's Cooking. If you ask politely, Hoover will make you "Eggs Blindfolded," a Southern short-order cook's version of poached eggs. The eggs are dropped on a hot griddle and then covered with a couple of pieces of ice and a lid. The sizzling ice makes for a delightful half-fried, half-poached egg. Try one on a scoop of hearty garlic cheddar grits.

Go there: Hoover's Cooking, 512-479-5006

LUNCH: Garrido's

"People in Austin love tacos, but they want them to be healthy," says David Garrido of Garrido's. His top seller is a taco with grilled fish on a bed of lettuce and tomatoes with a topping of aioli or salsa and bacon.

Go there: Garrido's, 512-320-8226

DINNER: Olivia
The locavore trend meets the "nose to tail" movement (the idea of using as much of the animal as possible) at Olivia. Chef James Holmes is receiving acclaim for a menu that includes Southern and Southwestern offal dishes like lamb hearts with green chile salsa and foie gras grits. In late winter, look for a hearty dish of risotto made with organic beets topped with a Texas grass-fed flatiron steak sprinkled with crumbled local "Pure Luck" blue cheese.

Go there: Olivia, 512-804-2700

Taken from CookingLight.com

mmm...Delicious! Banana Cream Pie Smoothie

A higher-fiber alternative to plain milk, this smoothie doubles as a smart breakfast or a milk shake-like treat. One serving of the smoothie contains 315 milligrams of calcium, roughly the same amount as a glass of milk. Freeze and store extra bananas in zip-top plastic bags so you can whip up this smoothie in a flash.

Yield: 2 servings (serving size: 1 cup)

Ingredients

• 1 cup sliced ripe banana (about 1 large)
• 1 cup vanilla low-fat yogurt
• 1/2 cup 1% low-fat milk
• 2 tablespoons whole wheat graham cracker crumbs (about 1/2 cookie sheet)
• 1 tablespoon nonfat dry milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 ice cubes (about 1/4 cup)
• Graham cracker crumbs

Preparation

Arrange banana slices in a single layer on a baking sheet, and freeze until firm (about 1 hour).

Place frozen banana and remaining ingredients in a blender. Process until smooth. Sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs. Serve immediately.

I tried this monday, and loved how easy it was to make and how energizing I felt afterwards because of its protein and lots of vitamins that are in this shake. I highly recommend this shake for anyone who is in a hurry in the morning and needs a fast breakfast.

Healthy Foods That Deliver Just What Women Need

Here are a few very crucial foods and healthy habits:

1. Salmon ~ While the omega 3 fats in salmon do everyone a lot of good, women net a few unique benefits. Pregnant? Studies find the oils in fatty fish like salmon can help you beat the post-partum blues, particularly if you ratchet up intake during the third trimester. Building blocks for the brain and nervous system, omega 3 fats are also critical for the developing fetus.

2. Cranberry Juice ~ Sometimes natural cures really do work because when it comes to treating women's urinary tract infections, cranberry juice is a recommended strategy. Not because it's acidic or has a lot of vitamin C. Instead, antioxidants called proanthocyanins are the real medicinal heroes.

3. Greek Yogurt ~ Thick and creamy, Greek yogurt offers double the protein of most yogurts and far less sugar. The lower carb levels (7 grams versus 25 grams in fruited yogurt) help keep blood sugar on an even keel. But protein may be the real advantage since many women have no clue, or rarely think about, how much protein they eat. And they should. Studies suggest that eating higher levels of protein (30 percent of calories) helps women with weight loss, muscle maintenance, and promotes healthier aging.

4. Kale ~ An underappreciated leafy green, kale is chock-full of a lot of good things for health in general, and some for women in particular. Antioxidants like lutein and zeazanthin protect the eye. Add to that a day's worth of vitamin C and small amounts of calcium. But tag its womanly superstar status to vitamin K, a potent bone builder. Researchers find that women who eat diets rich in vitamin K are at lower risk of hip fracture. Seems the body requires vitamin K to activate bone proteins needed to ward off osteoporosis, the crippling bone disease that strikes women four times more often than men.

German Chocolate Mousse

"I felt compelled to make a chocolate dessert option, too. It's a twist on a family favorite, like having German chocolate cake, but in a more decadent, satisfying, and rich form. Reserve some whole pecan halves for a pretty garnish." –SaBrina Bone, Test Kitchen Professional

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups 1% low-fat milk
• 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 ounces dark chocolate chips
• 4 cups frozen light whipped topping, thawed
• 1/4 cup flaked sweetened coconut, toasted
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Preparation

1. Combine first 3 ingredients in a heavy saucepan; let stand 2 minutes. Cook over medium-high heat to 180° or until tiny bubbles form around edge (do not boil). Remove from heat, and add chocolate; cover and let stand 5 minutes. Stir until chocolate melts.

2. Pour chocolate mixture into a medium bowl; cover and chill 30 minutes or until set. Gently fold in whipped topping. Spoon about 2/3 cup mousse into each of 8 dessert bowls. Cover at least 2 hours or until set. Top each serving with 1 1/2 teaspoons coconut and 1 1/2 teaspoons pecans.

I made this last night, and I was surprised how short and easy this recipe is. I made it for my family and they all said it was delicious. For me, it was not chocolaty enough, but that is just me, the chocoholic. However, in the recipe it says to put in 4 cups of the dessert topping, at first when I put it in with the chocolate, I thought that I might of put in too much. I think that it would not hurt if you did not want to put in all of the 4 cups. Even with my family it was too much. If you are making it for yourself, I recommend halving the recipe or something. Compared to my other chocolate mousse' that I have made, I thought this one was very very fluffy and light. I just depends on the recipe you have and your preference. I personally, like my mousse a little bit heavier and chocolaty. Overall, I totally recommend this recipe.

BJ's Restaurant

It was 1978 when two guys who had a great recipe for deep dish pizza opened the first BJ’s Chicago Pizzeria in Santa Ana, California. The pizza was an immediate hit and as years went by, new BJ’s restaurants were opened in beach cities along Southern California’s coastline. In 1996, with seven restaurants in operation from San Diego to Los Angeles, the first BJ’s brewery began production in our new restaurant in Brea, California. The introduction of fine handcrafted beer was welcomed by guests and the newly renamed BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery concept was launched. New menu items and new beers have been added through the years as the BJ’s brand has expanded across the U.S.

Taken from http://www.bjsbrewhouse.com/story.aspx

Fettuccine Alfredo with Bacon

When you're short on time and the ingredient list is short, make every ingredient the freshest and best you can find. A real wood-smoked bacon imparts lots of flavor: Applewood is mild and slightly sweet, while hardwood, such as hickory, is more assertive.

Total: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings (serving size: about 1 cup)

Ingredients

• 1 (9-ounce) package refrigerated fresh fettuccine
• 2 slices applewood-smoked bacon, chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup 1% low-fat milk
• 2/3 cup (about 2 1/2 ounces) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1/4 cup cooking liquid.

2. While pasta cooks, cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat 4 minutes or until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove bacon from pan, reserving drippings. Add garlic to drippings in pan; sauté 1 minute, stirring constantly. Sprinkle flour over garlic; cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly; cook 2 minutes or until bubbly and slightly thick, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low. Gradually add cheese, stirring until cheese melts. Stir in salt and reserved 1/4 cup cooking liquid. Add hot pasta to pan; toss well to combine. Sprinkle with bacon, parsley, and pepper.

Personally this is my favorite dinner choice. The best fettuccine to get here in Austin is BJ's restaurant.

I made this last night. I was in a hurry and I had 45 minutes to make it. I was worried that I wouldn't finish in time considering that I like to take my time carefully when I cook, because for me it is easy to make an obvious mistake. Anyway, I made it just in time to give to my parents and they loved it. YAy! Fettuccine Alfredo is one of my favorite foods and I have always wanted to make it. I was very impressed that the recipe put bacon in there, and I'm glad they did, it gave it a little something extra. You should most definitely try it.

Pork with Pomegranate Pan Sauce

A simple spice rub flavors boneless pork chops, but the sweet-tart sauce is the real star of this dish. The sweetness of sugar and the sharpness of shallots bring the sour flavors of pomegranate juice and vinegar into perfect balance.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 pork chop and about 2 tablespoons sauce)

Ingredients

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 (4-ounce) boneless center-cut pork loin chops
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/3 cup chopped shallots
• 3/4 cup pomegranate juice
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Preparation

1. Combine first 4 ingredients in a small bowl; sprinkle over pork chops.

2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork chops; cook 3 minutes on each side. Remove and keep warm. Add shallots to pan; cook 45 seconds, stirring constantly. Add juice, 1 tablespoon sugar, and vinegar; bring to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes or until slightly thick. Serve pork with sauce.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

232

Fat:

8.8g (sat 2.7g,mono 4.6g,poly 0.8g)

Protein:

24g

Carbohydrate:

13.1g

Fiber:

0.3g

Cholesterol:

67mg

Iron:

1.3mg

Sodium:

352mg

Calcium:

34mg

When I tried this recipe out of cooking light magazine, I was so surprised how amazing this recipe tastes. The sauce which goes on the top of the pork blew me away. It is now the favorite of the house! This unbelievable sauce is not just limited to pork, you can put it on any variety of meat. However, I do not recommend putting this sauce on steak. This recipe did take about 1 1/2 hrs. to 2 hrs. to make, because of the sauce, when you put it in the pan with all of it's ingredients it does need to be stirred until thick enough, which may take a little while. Though I recommend this recipe 100%, it is totally worth it.

Flavorful Fredericksburg

Our Specialty of the day? Texas wine and cuisine seasoned with German flavor. Here you can sample the fruit of the vine from surrounding wineries. Try everything from strudel to sausage wraps, local salsas to peaches fresh from the orchard. And finish your day with dinners inspired by the Texas Hill Country.

• Wineries
• Regional Cuisine
• Coffee houses
• Bakeries & Confectionaries
• Micro Brewery
• Specialty foods
• Orchards & farms
• Cooking schools
• Events & festivals

So come savor and enjoy!

Taken from Gourmet magazine.

Personally I love Fredericksburg, it is such a relaxing place and the people are so friendly there. Their food is amazing, especially the corner bakeries where you can snatch some warm pastries that almost melt into your mouth. Also, on the way there you might experience some road side peach or strawberry stands. They are usually there in the spring and summer. These are the places to get your fruit! Not only is it fresh, sweet, and ripe. It's also the best you can find in Texas! Fredericksburg has so much to offer for families and just about anyone. If you prefer to stay the night, you can easily find a cute bed & breakfast back into the countryside, though still near the best shops. Did I say shops? Of course!! How could I forget to tell about the shops. Well, if you just love country shops then Fredericksburg is your town. There are so many places to shop you wouldn't believe it. There are five and dimes, the cutest clothing stores, and the best ice cream shop. I hope if you go someday you will love it!

Welcome

Bonjour! Welcome to Sweet Bon Appetit blog! In this blog I will be having all kinds of different recipes. If you love to cook and get your hands messy then this is going to be fun. I have been wanting to do a blog for a while now, and just got the right time to start one. First of all, to get things understood, I love to cook!! Being in the kitchen is like a wisp of fresh air. It gets things off of my mind and most of all it lets me show my creativity and passion for something so important today, and that is food. As Julia Child once said "Find something your'e passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it." Amen. I honestly believe that, it can be a hobby or a sport, and for me cooking is one of my hobbies. Although, this blog will not only be for just recipes. I will have all kinds of cooking related stuff on here and many other fun things. I hope you enjoy this blog, and love the recipes I put on there. Thanks!