Pork and Potatoes

This was such an easy meal to put together and it all cooks in the oven - which I love! My son is a huge lasagna fan, so the Potatoes Au Gratin is affectionately known as Potato Lasagna.  Both recipes are a huge hit with my husband and kids.  I usually cook this with broccoli, but any green veggie will do. 

Source:  Betty Crocker Cookbook - Bridal Edition

Herb Crusted Pork Loin

Ingredients:
2 pork tenderloins (with our two small kids, we did fine with one for the four of us)
1 cup soft breadcrumbs - 2 slices of bread
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons fresh or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fennel seed
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon olive oil

Preparation
To make it easier and not too much chopping - use a food processor to chop the bread to make fresh breadcrumbs.  You will have more than one cup - reserve the excess for the Potatoes Au Gratin.  Next, just put all the ingredients after the pork except the olive oil in a food processor and pulse.  Then stir in the olive oil - adding more to make just a little moist.
Heat oven to 400F (200C).  Spray shallow roasting pan and rack with cooking spray (you can also just use a cooling rack over a cookie sheet).  Place pork loins on the rack in the pan.  Spoon herb mixture over the pork and pat to help adhere.  Cover pork loosely with foil.
Bake for 15 minutes and then uncover to cook for 10 minutes longer.  Pull out of oven to rest.  It will continue to cook as it rests.


Potatoes Au Gratin (Potato Lasagna)

Ingredients
2 tablespoons of butter
1 small onion, chopped (1/4 cup)
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese
6 medium potatoes peeled and thinly sliced (if you have a slicer attachment on a food processor - it would do the best job).
1/4 cup breadcrumbs from the Pork Loin preparation
Paprika or nutmeg if desired

Preparation
Grease casserole with shortening or cooking spray
In 2 quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.  Cook onion in butter for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender.  Stir in flour, salt, pepper and paprika or nutmeg.  Cook until bubbly.  Stir in milk in small amounts until all milk is in the pan and stir constantly until boiling - boil for one minute then remove from heat.
Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the cheese until melted.
Spread potatoes in casserole and pour cheese sauce over potatoes.
Bake uncovered 1 hour.

Cooking both:
Put the Au Gratin in first.  Cook for 45 minutes, and then put the Pork Loin in the oven.  After 15 minutes of cooking, take both out.  Take the foil off the pork.  Top the Au Gratin with the bread crumbs and cheddar cheese.  Put back into the oven until the Pork Loin crust turns golden and the Au Gratin bubbles and browns.  You may have to rotate the pans to achieve this.
Bon Appetit!!