Balsamic Vinegar – A Slice Of My Life

Steakhouse Pork Medallions with Strawberry Bacon Sauce

This was an instant hit at our house for a delicious dinner. This is an easy 30 minute meal that is sure to please the whole family. Weeknight meals are slowly becoming a specialty of mine as we navigate school, work and after school activity schedules. Since we have a busy weekly schedule I want fast, easy and delicious meals that I know my whole family will enjoy. Plus having time in the kitchen after a stressful workday can be therapeutic for the soul. Last night I decided to make a fast sauce for our pork tenderloin. The sauce was fragrant, tasty and not to mention ridiculously easy! It also gave some depth to the whole dish by stepping up the pork. I am happy to share this quick and easy recipe and as always, I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

STEAKHOUSE PORK MEDALLIONS WITH STRAWBERRY BACON SAUCE

Ingredients:

Steakhouse seasoned pork tenderloin (baked or grilled per packaging)
A bundle of asparagus (baked or grilled to preference)
Long grain rice (cooked to package directions)
1/2 carton Strawberries; hulled and diced
1 shallot, diced
6 strips of bacon, chopped
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp honey
Dash of white pepper

Directions:

Start by cooking the tenderloin per directions on the package or however you prefer your tenderloin.
Prep asparagus and rice according your preference as well.
When the meal is cooking prep and make sauce as follows.
Cook bacon on medium heat until just under crispy; drain off grease and return to hot pan.
Add shallot and cook for 1 minute. Add strawberries and cook for 1 minute.
Add balsamic vinegar, honey and white pepper. Allow to simmer for 5 to 6 minutes, or until strong vinegar smell is gone.
Once the tenderloin has cooked and been allowed to rest, cut into medallions and serve with sauce over the top. Rice and asparagus can be plated on the side.
Enjoy!

I thought since today is Father’s Day and I will surely busy in the kitchen making all of my husband’s favorite foods… that I would share a super simple recipe for a delicious kitchen staple; Balsamic Glaze. Balsamic Glaze is one of my favorite staples in the kitchen partly because it’s so delicious! I use it on pizza, caprese salad, grilled peaches with chicken and lots of Italian dishes. This recipe is so simple and it only takes about 15 minutes to make!

All you need is a small sauce pan, good quality balsamic vinegar and honey. I know folks who make their balsamic glaze with brown sugar or maple syrup, but I like honey the best. This glaze is aromatic, versatile and fresh. It adds a strong and sweet flavor to draw out the most intense flavors of any dish it’s accenting.

The key to great glaze is to reduce the glaze down by half. Reducing any sauce or glaze is super easy…you just let the sauce simmer until you get the results you want. It’s important to let the sauce lead you and once you’ve made a glaze once you will see just how easy and fast it is. A test I use to make sure my sauce has reduced enough is to Take it off the heat and drag a spatula through the sauce…if the sauce doesn’t immediately run together then it’s ready (pictured above)! Another plus to this glaze is that a little goes a long way and if kept in a good container; it will keep on your countertop for up to a week. Now, I hope you enjoy this glaze as much as we do!

BALSAMIC GLAZE

Ingredients:

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
3 Tbsp honey

Directions:

Add vinegar and honey to a small sauce pan and heat on medium heat.
Once mixture begins to simmer; reduce heat to medium/low and allow to reduce for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Reduce liquid by half and do the drag through test to test for thickness.
Take off heat and allow to cool before storing in an airtight container.
Enjoy on your favorite foods!