Pork with Roasted Grapes and Fried Sage
This recipe couldn’t be simpler to put together, or more beautiful on the table. Sweet grapes and pork, topped with earthy and crunchy sage leaves makes a truly gorgeous and seasonal meal.
Difficulty: Medium
Hands-on: 10 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
1 cup green or red grapes
4 Tbsp. avocado oil, divided
1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided
4 boneless pork chops
8 fresh sage leaves
½ tsp. coarse sea salt
Directions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Step 2
Place the grapes in a small baking dish, and drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil, and ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Stir well. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the grapes are softened and slightly caramelized. Reserve.
Step 3
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Season the meat with remaining salt and pepper. Cook pork for 7–8 minutes a side, or until it registers 145°F with a meat thermometer.
Step 4
Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. When oil is hot but not smoking, fry sage leaves for 2–3 seconds. Drain on paper towels, and season with coarse salt. Serve pork topped with roasted grapes and fried sage leaves.
Chocolate Banana Bread
Difficulty: Easy
Hands-on: 15 minutes
Total: 1 hour 20 minutes
Serves: 8
Ingredients
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
⅔ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
½ cup vegetable shortening
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup chocolate chips
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ cup confectioners’ sugar
Directions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9" × 5" × 3" loaf pan.
Step 2
In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cut in the shortening with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the bananas and eggs and stir with a fork just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Spread in the prepared pan.
Step 3
Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean. Let cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes, then turn out onto the rack to cool completely. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar before serving.
