Recipe: Monkey Business Cocoa

Adult add-ins to cocoa are nothing new, but this version is definitely not your run of the mill cocoa! It's like drinking Chunky Monkey Ice Cream in a cup. Um, yum.

photo courtesy of eDiets.com

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photo courtesy DeKuyper

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Monkey Business Hot Cocoa

Happy Holidays!!

Recipe: Black Tea Spiced Pork Tenderloin + Roasted Pears and Carrots

A Gourmet Meal for 4 that's under $20? Yep. Super tasty, too! (if the video is not visible, click here)

Black Tea Spiced Pork Tenderloin

serves 4

2-pound pork tenderloin

5T black tea leaves

1T mild curry powder

2t ground cumin

1/2t ground anise

1t ground cayenne

1T fresh ginger, chopped

-in a spice grinder, add tea, spices and fresh ginger and grind until finely ground; add a little olive oil to thin into a paste

-season pork with salt + pepper

-rub pork with paste on all sides and let rest in refrigerator for 20 minutes

-pre-heat oven to 400˚F

-roast pork until done, about 20-30 minutes

-let rest 10 minutes, then slice and serve over Cumin Rice

Roasted Pears & Carrots 

serves 4

4 carrots, peeled, halved and cut into sticks 

2 pears, halved cored and cut into small wedges 

olive oil 

salt & pepper 

balsamic vinegar

-Pre heat oven to 400F 

-line a baking sheet with aluminum foil 

-place pears & carrots on baking sheet 

-drizzle with olive oil and a splash or two of balsamic vinegar 

-season with salt & pepper -toss to coat thoroughly 

-spread evenly into a single layer on baking sheet 

-roast in oven until carrots are tender and pears are still firm, about 20 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking 

-serve warm or room temp

Note: this dish is easy to make into a more grown-up side or salad for entertaining by adding some crumbled bleu cheese and/or toasted walnuts!