Brown Sugar Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Rating: 4.5 stars (I give it a 5 but hubby thinks 4, so we are settling right in the middle!)

Cost: $

Comments: I found this great recipe online. I was a little apprehensive about the glaze part, just because I like to throw things in the crock and forget about it until right before dinner. Making the glaze was actually super easy and it wasn't a hassle at all!

Ingredients:
(1-2 lb.) Pork Tenderloin
1 teaspoon ground sage (I left this out because I didn't have any at the time)
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 clove garlic, crushed (I left this out because I didn't have any at the time)
1/2 cup water

Glaze
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar (this is where the hubs took away a star, see additional comments below)
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoon soy sauce

Directions:
Combine sage, salt, pepper and garlic. Rub mix over tenderloin and place in the crockpot. Pour 1/2 cup of water over tenderloin. Cook on low for 5-7 hours or until pork is nice and tender. One hour before the pork is done, combine the ingredients for the glaze in a small sauce pan. Heat and stir the glaze until the mixture thickens (usually when it starts to bubble). Brush the tenderloin with the glaze 2-3 times throughout the last hour of cooking. Serve the remaining glaze on the side.

Additional Comments: In regards to the balsamic vinegar, the hubs is not a fan, and felt as though it was a little too strong. I on the other hand loved it. I will probably half the amount of vinegar next time though.

Teriyaki Chicken

Rating: 5 stars (if I could give it more I would!)

Cost: less than $10

Comments: I found this recipe online and was very skeptical, but tried it anyway. I love teriyaki chicken but the "mixture" seemed a little wacky to me. Go figure, it worked and was AMAZING! My hubby's favorite recipe so far, he couldn't stop gushing over it. Side note- I'm not one to waste my sugar intake on dinner (I save that for dessert!) but seriously, this is sooo worth it.

Ingredients:
4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts (I used 8 chicken tenderloins instead)
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 TBSP red wine vinegar
2 TBSP oil (olive is better)

Directions:
Place chicken in crockpot. In a small bowl combine all other ingredients and stir together. Pour over chicken and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 5 hours. Serve over rice.

Red Wine Pork Tenderloin

Rating: 5 stars

Approximate Cost: $15 or less

Comments: This recipe was given to me by my mother-in-law, and its to die for! If I could give it more than 5 stars I would! Just a few simple ingredients tossed into the pot and poof a great family meal!

Ingredients:
1 pork tenderloin
1 envelope Lipton Dry Onion Soup Mix
1.5 cups water
1 cup red wine
3 tbs minced garlic (I think this is a bit much, so I use 1.5 tbs)
3 tbs soy sauce

Directions: Place pork tenderloin in crock-pot. Sprinkle soup mix on top of pork. In a separate bowl mix water, wine, garlic, and soy sauce. Pour mixture over pork. Turn to coat. Cook on low for 4.5-6.5 hours.