Monday, May 5, 2014

Asian Confusion




I had planned to blog about a fabulous shrimp and rice recipe today. It has ingredients that I love, and I was excited to make it. Wouldn't you just know that it was bland and boring? I was getting ready to go to Malice Domestic and didn't have much time for inventing new recipes. So my friend, Amy, and I split the chores.

I keep hearing about Asian Fusion cuisine. We were in a pinch, so this was more like Asian Confusion. I marinated pork tenderloin medallions Amy thought plum sauce would be wonderful with it, but we didn't have the ingredients on hand, so she got creative. It was fabulous! Of course, the spicy plum sauce makes the dish.

Don't worry about the shrimp dish. I'm going to play with it until I'm satisfied! You'll see it here eventually.

I'm just back from Malice Domestic now. I had such a wonderful time. Daryl, Mary Jane, Sheila and I actually got to see each other face-to-face instead of meeting online. Sheila was nowhere to be found, and this picture is terribly grainy, but I'm posting it anyway.

Daryl, Krista, and Mary Jane (Victoria)

Each year Malice Domestic sponsors a charity auction that benefits the John L. Gildner Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents. The authors at Mystery Lovers Kitchen contributed a decorative suitcase with our books, and items representing our mystery series. We were delighted that it brought more than $200 in the live auction!

Lots of reading material!




Marinated Pork Tenderloin Medallions

1 pork tenderloin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup Asian stir fry oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
pinch of sugar

2 tablespoons Asian stir fry oil
1 clove garlic, minced


Slice the tenderloin into 1-inch thick medallions and slide into a plastic bag. Whisk together the other four ingredients, add to the bag and mash a little to spread it around the meat. Marinate for three hours.

Amy's Clever Plum Sauce

For two. You may wish to double this recipe.

5 prunes (in a jar not dry)
4 tablespoons liquid from prune jar
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 small clove garlic, minced
1/8 heaping teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon brown sugar

Mince prunes. Place all ingredients in a small pot on low and simmer. If it gets too dry, splash in a little more prune liquid.

Heat the 2 tablespoons of oil. Saute the minced garlic. Add the medallions and cook, turning once until gently pink in the center. Serve with plum sauce.






10 comments:

  1. It looks like such fun Krista--I missed you guys:(. And the basket is beautiful--congrats!

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    1. We missed you, too, Roberta! I hope we can all go next year.

      ~Krista

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  2. Very clever. Prunes in a jar? That's a new one for me.
    Love the suitcase. I would have bid on it.

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    1. Libby, I was surprised, too. It never would have occurred to me. But Amy said she figured plum sauce was really just cooked plums. Very smart!

      I think our little suitcase of goodies turned out well. It was so full of things that you can't even make them all out in the photo!

      ~Krista

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  3. The basket is lovely. So glad it helped to raise so much money. This looks yummy and I have a pork tenderloin in the freeze. One question: what is Asian frying oil? We have an Asian Market near by where I imagine I could find it.

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    Replies
    1. I was thrilled to find it, Peg. Surprise! It was at my Walmart. It's by Spectrum and the name is Asian Stir Fry Oil. It's organic. A blend of soy, peanut, and sesame oil. You'll probably find it at your regular grocer soon.

      ~Krista

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  4. Krista, yum! Love when improvising works. Loved seeing you, MJ, and Sheila at Malice. It's so important to have face-to-face time every year.

    Hugs to all
    Daryl / Avery

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    Replies
    1. It was great seeing you again. One of these days, we'll have to gather all the MLK authors at a con!

      ~Krista

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  5. Awesome!! I am leaving a belated comment. First of all, your "Asian Confusion" is brilliant, what a great combo of flavors, and cheers to you (and Amy) for pulling that together so quickly. Next, I have to say that you three at Malice look so beautiful and happy. And that's a perfect picture, for sure! Finally the basket. WOW what great news on the auction. Thank you for sharing all, Krista, and have a wonderful week!

    ~ Cleo

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  6. I'm a day late here, Krista! It was great seeing you, Daryl and Sheila. The auction item was spectacular! I'm all in favor of grainy photos (ahem).

    I love this recipe. Gotta try it.

    XOX

    MJ

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