Single girl, working to make ends meet– I am the perfect candidate for someone looking to pawn off their leftovers. Every time I go home or to a family function I am sent back with copious amounts of food that I could never single-handedly conquer.
I always appreciate the thought and having “ready made” food on hand, however; I really like to cook. If I’m busy leftovers are great to use in a quick throw-together meal, but when I have the time/foodie thoughts running through my head, they make me sad. Since I REFUSE to waste, having leftovers means that I don’t get to be creative in the kitchen….so I thought. Tonight I changed that notion and gave my leftovers a makeover.My mom sent me back with leftover pork tenderloin and corn on the cob. Hmm…what could I do to glam this up?  I made a side salad with mixed greens, alfalfa sprouts, cucumbers, blueberries, avocado, feta cheese. And then I let my imagination run wild and constructed a Cherry-Mint Balsamic Reduction to dress my pork.

I paired my meal with a glass of 2006  Delagrange Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune Pinot Noir. I went to the wine store a few weeks ago in search for a wine from the Burgundy Region (red Burgundy=Pinot Noir varietal). I was saddened that all of the ones I wanted were…well, out of my price range. This wine was a magnificent garnet color with a very fruit forward nose. I was immediately hit with cherry and raspberry characteristics and (I’m still learning flavors so I could be wrong) I think a hint of chocolate, spice and leather (?). This wine was light and offered a nice contrast to the rosemary grilled pork tenderloin and sweet balsamic reduction. I really liked how the mint flavor calmed the sweet fruit. This wine was good but I cant stop thinking about the Russian Jack Pinot Noir I had with the pork a few nights ago. It was smooth and slightly creamy .

For dessert I had a petrified mini fudge-nut brownie. I’m not sure how long that has been in my freezer. It tasted like chocolate ice. (Gross but whatever, chocolate is chocolate.)Yes, that is a paper towel. I washed infinity dishes today and could not bear the thought of doing one more.

I wasn’t going to document my afternoon snack but it was pretty blog worthy. To calm my 4pm hunger I had a Chocolate Chip Z-Bar.I swear this reminded me of the best soft-baked chocolate chip cookie I’ve ever had. I realize these are meant for ‘kids’ but with the amazing flavor…grown-ups should be able to indulge too! Kids these days have it pretty good when it comes to healthy snack choices. (I sound old) I bought more on my way home.

Forever A Student,

Nora

Do you study interests outside the classroom?