Monday, May 4, 2015

A to Z Reflections

Earlier in the year I was so unwell I asked Alex J. Cavenaugh to remove me from the sign up list. He persuaded me to stay where I was saying he could always remove me at the last minute. Of course I got better and ended up being glad I had stayed. For me, writing 26 posts is no problem whatever. Doing some research on my chosen theme was not very difficult either. However, this year I did find all the visiting and returning comments to be exhausting. Especially at the beginning. I seemed to be on my computer all the time. Considering how few people I have to get in touch with compared to Alex, I feel I am whining about nothing. I know at least one person who couldn`t last because she had too many other things on her plate this month. She was stressing out and I advised her to quit. It is, after all, supposed to be fun. I gather, in fact that of our 1800 odd signatories we ended up with around 1500. That is still one heck of an achievement for an idea thought up be Arlee Bird some years ago. Also, I have every admiration for the hosts and their minions. I have been a minion twice and it is hard work but it`s what keeps the Challenge on the right track. Congratulations everyone and more congratulations to those who finished the challenge. There is a linky list for us to connect to for our Reflections Posts at the A to Z blog.

A thought that occurred to me towards the end of the Challenge, people should always name the person to whom they are responding. Especially those who have dozens of commenters. A simple yes, or haha, or isn’t it? Or even a longer reply isn’t much good unless you know it was in response to your comment.  Most people do use names, but there are many who do not and I tend to get lists of responses from one blogger or another and I have no way of telling if any were replying to me or not and quite honestly I don’t want to read through dozens of replies to other people.

Many will now start off on the A to Z road trip. I have never done this as I find I have enough to do with all the blogs I follow now. Sorry.

It so happens I have some pork tenderloins in the freezer and this recipe appealed to me.

Pork Tenderloin Smothered in Onion and Mustard

Contributed to Food and Wine by Grace Parisi
pork-tenderloin-smothered-in-onion-and-mustard
  • SERVINGS: 4

Grace Parisi was thinking about the typical ingredients in a German beer-hall kitchen—onions, mustard, dill—when she created this luscious dish of pounded pork tenderloins.

Ingredients

  1. Two 12-ounce pork tenderloins, cut into 2-inch lengths and pounded 1 inch thick
  2. Salt
  3. Freshly ground pepper
  4. 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  5. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  6. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  7. 1 large onion, very thinly sliced
  8. 1 tablespoon grainy mustard
  9. 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  10. 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
  11. Buttered noodles, for serving
  1. Season the pork with salt and pepper and dust with flour. In a medium, deep skillet, melt the butter in the olive oil. Add the pork and cook over high heat, turning once, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Transfer the pork to a plate.
  2. Add the onion to the skillet, cover and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in the mustard and the 1 teaspoon of flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Nestle the pork in the onion sauce. Cover and simmer over moderate heat until the pork is cooked through, about 8 minutes. Transfer the pork to plates. Stir the chopped dill into the sauce and spoon over the pork. Serve with buttered noodles.
Have a great day
Jo_thumb[2]

50 comments:

  1. Jo, I know what you mean about comments and exhaustion - and you get more than I do (smile).
    Love the pork tenderloin recipe.

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    1. I would have thought you got a lot of comments by the look of it.

      We both enjoy pork tenderloin.

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  2. The A-Z Challenge was fun. I'm glad I took part and I've found some new blogs to follow.

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    1. That's basically the idea Helen, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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  3. Jo, so glad you got better and then decided to stay with the challenge. You chose some interesting foods this year, though I doubt I will be eating squirrel anytime in the near or distant future [I may drown a few if I am lucky enough to catch them ;-)].

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    1. So was I in the end Denise. What, no squirrel? Can't see me eating it either or zebra come to that.

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  4. It's a good thing Alex convinced you to stay where you were on the list. :)

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    1. I am glad he did too Chrys. I enjoyed it in the end.

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  5. And that's why I run for cover every April. :P

    Congrats on finishing the challenge. :)

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    1. Thanks Melissa. I think that's funny you running for cover. It's fun, especially when it's over.

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  6. Oh I loooooooove pork tenderloin! Gonna have to keep this one in mind!

    I'm glad that you were feeling better and able to complete the challenge.

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  7. There's no whining in blogland!
    Really glad I didn't take you off the list.
    And when I reply to comments, I always address the person by name. It would be a mess if I didn't.

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    1. I dunno Alex, I come across plenty of whining and write some of it myself.

      I am glad you took no notice of me too. A mess is exactly what happens. I frequently get dozens of posts from one blog and I have no idea whether any of them were addressed to me or not. Yes, I know you do always name the person.

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  8. Hey, that was me! I'm so grateful for the reminder that blogging should remain fun and that sometimes waving the whit flag is the best way to keep our sanity. I think not allowing ourselves to adjust the blog rules to fit the changes in our lives and careers is why many just drop out completely. We have to learn to manage the overload.

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    1. Yes, it does take a lot out of you Liz. I haven't got a family and a new book to take care of and I still found it pretty exhausting. Glad I could help.

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  9. Oh yes, if we tried to keep up with comments and blog reading and writing cartoons every single day I think our heads would just pop off like giant zits. Cheers to you for getting better and conquering the challenge like a pro, though!

    Sounds like a great pork tenderloin recipe. We usually make ours in the slow cooker.

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    1. Well you guys have one of those blogs which attracts a lot of comments. If I were you or Alex I could never cope. Thanks for the cheers.

      Slow cookers are a great way to prepare a meal.

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  10. Hi Jo-I know what you mean about being attached to the computer. I was thinking the same thing! Looking at new blogs and commenting...I got no work done. I have no tablet or I pad or whatever is new out there. I have my basic computer so I went "missing" for the month of April. I was sick in March so I was late doing my posts. I am glad you stuck around even though you were ill because i would never have "met" you in blogland:) This is another recipe I must try. I usually bake the pork chops in the oven

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    1. I really like pork tenderloin, it is a very succulent meat to use Birgit.

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    1. Oh yes Lass, that was from February. Thanks.

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  12. Jo, the Challenge is a grind as the month wears on. No doubt about that. Life happens. Glad you stuck through it all.

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  13. You were a great sport throughout the month, Jo, and I even recognized and/or wanted some of the recipes you shared :)

    Here's to healthy times and good bowling scores :)

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    1. I agree with your toast there Mork. I could certainly use the good bowling scores.

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  14. Pork tender loins sound perfect for a celebration. Thanks for being a pal.

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  15. That's an excellent point about naming the person you're replying to in comments. Especially with Blogger, which puts you on a mailing list and you get everyone's comments if you check the "Notify Me" box. Glad Alex talked you into staying!

    John Holton
    The Sound of One Hand Typing
    The Sound of One Hand Typing FM

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    1. Thanks John. Glad you agree. As you say, you get every other comment made, particularly if you check Notify me as I usually do.

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  16. I think that's it too, it should be fun. It's just a blog. As for visiting so many to the point of being pooped, I would not do that. I follow who I want to follow and chat with, not what someone else dictates I should do because of an AtoZ game.

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    1. Me too Ivy, but it's nice to meet new people and read new blogs. Mind you sometimes I read an A to Z and then later find I don't enjoy what that blogger writes normally.

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  17. Good reflection post! I am glad that you were well enough to participate in A/Z :)

    Because of work commitments, I felt overwhelmed at times during the challenge visiting blogs and commenting on them. I was following way more than I should have on a daily basis plus my work as a minion, but it was fun in the long run. I averaged about 2-1/2 to 3 hours blog reading daily in addition to working 9 hour days and keeping up a house :) No wonder why I'm extra tired these days!

    betty

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    1. Thanks Betty.

      Does sound it must have been exhausting for you. I don't have a job and got pretty tired.

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  18. Glad you decided to stay also. And it is supposed to be fun though as a former minion, you know it is also a lot of work.

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    1. Yup Susan, last year I was a minion for Tina, previous year for L. Diane Wolfe, so I do know how much work is involved and that is only as a helper.

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  19. Hello there.
    Congratulations on completing the challenge!
    As participants, we have no idea of the scope of the work that goes on "behind the scenes" so to speak. I know for me, visiting and commenting does indeed consume a lot of time. My hubby was quite upset on many nights that I was on the computer, sometimes going on 5+ hours just roaming around the linky list!
    Thanks for the recipe...I might just have to try this...we love everything pork. ;-)
    Thanks for sharing.

    Entrepreneurial Goddess

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    1. Thanks Goddess. Having been a minion a couple of times, I do have some idea. It's a lot of work which is why I didn't volunteer this year.

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  20. You just made me even more hungry than I already am! I agree with the names on the comments Jo. Makes sense to me. I am SO glad you did the challenge also, because I really enjoyed visiting you and learning so much about food, and the other fun details you often added!

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    1. Ah well, I try to make people hungry Lisa. Especially for those of us who like asparagus. I enjoyed learning more about Florida.

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  21. By the time the challenge wound down, I was starting to wonder if my comments were even making sense any more! Like you, I won't be doing the road trip. Probably. Unless I do. Work is going to have settle down before I even consider it, though.

    I missed quite a few of your oh-so-tasty recipes, so I'll be checking those out over the next couple of weeks. Because, mmm. Food.

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    1. So true Kern. Yes, work does tend to get in the way of pleasure.

      Glad you like my recipes.

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  22. Hi Jo - I've always tried to use names when I can find it - not always easy ... but I do try and identify to whom I'm replying ...

    Glad you stuck it out and feel better .. it's a tough journey - but oh so worth it .. and we can celebrate each day with your recipe ... they're a good mix .. and I can learn things .. cheers Hilary

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    1. I've always noticed that Hilary. Glad you manage it most of the time.

      I was in the end, but last February the thought of it horrified me I was so unwell.

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  23. I am really glad you made it even down to the "Z"ebras.... Yikes, you had some wonderful thoughts and posts.

    We made it...Hope you had a great time, thank you for your Reflection!
    Jeremy [Retro]
    AtoZ Challenge Co-Host [2015]

    HOLLYWOOD NUTS!
    Come Visit: You know you want to know if me or Hollywood... is Nuts?

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    1. Thanks Jeremy. I might not have done it at all if it hadn't been for Alex persuading me to stay on the list. I ended up enjoying it very much.

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  24. So many blogs; so little time! I'm just getting around to yours now! And it looks like I will be sticking around for at least 26 more articles :) Really well done! And congratulations!!

    --Mee (The Chinese Quest)

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  25. Congrats on completing the A to Z Challenge! Looking forward to next year! See you on the Road Trip!

    Mary @ Jingle Jangle Jungle

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