Dinner menu

Here is a dinner my family enjoyed recently. The recipes came from some old Taste of Home magazines I have stashed with my cookbooks. Naturally, dessert comes first.

Chocolate Oatmeal Cake
1 1/2 C boiling water
1 C quick cooking oats
1 C (6 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 C stick margarine, softened
3/4 C sugar
3/4 C packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

In a bowl, combine the water and oats. Sprinkle with chocolate chips (do not stir); let stand for 20 minutes. IN a mixing bowl, cream margarine and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in oat mixture.

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

Frosting: (the original recipe called for coffee, but it tastes just lovely without that)
1/4 C half and half cream, warmed
1/2 C stick margarine, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt
4 C confectioner's sugar

Cream margarine. Add vanilla and salt. Gradually beat in sugar. Beat in enough of the cream to achieve spreading consistency. Frost the cake. Mmmmm!


Cranberry Pork Medallions
1 pork tenderloin (about 1 pound) cut into 1/2-inch slices
3 TBSP olive or vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
3 TBSP sugar
3/4 C apple juice
1/2 C cranberry juice
1/2 C frozen or fresh cranberries (this is where I cheat and use canned cranberry stuff)
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 minced fresh rosemary or 1/8 tsp dried rosemary, crushed

In a nonstick skillet, cook port in oil for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove and set aside. In the same skillet, saute onion, garlic, and sugar until onion is caramelized and tender. Stir in the apple juice, cranberry juice, (canned) cranberries, mustard, and rosemary. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 5-6 minutes or until sauce is reduced by half. Return pork to pan; heat through.

This is great with mashed potatoes, green beans, and a salad. Easy dinner!