Marinated Pork with Mango Salsa

I posted this as a guest blogger for Meghan over at Travel, Eat, Love, while she traveled Ireland with her husband.  Check out my post here.

I don't reserve my best cooking for the weekends, I love to find easy to prepare, healthy dishes on the weekdays too.  There's something so satisfying about coming home and cheffing something from scratch, rather than having to rely on leftovers.  I came across this Caribbean Pork with Mango Salsa in Real Simple's January 2011 issue.  Amidst a ton of other pork recipes, this one called my name for it's simplicity and it's inclusion of Mango Salsa.

I know, I know.  Mango salsa isn't entirely in season right now.  But amidst all the winter kale and squashes and over kill of pumpkin and peppermint from the holidays, it feels so good to go against the grain.  So fresh.  So summer-y.  Wouldn't you like a taste of summer right now?

Caribbean Pork with Mango Salsa (as adapted from Real Simple)

• 1 mango, chopped
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
• salt for tasting
• 1 pound of pork tenderloin, or chops
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground corriander
• salt to taste

 As usual, I was hestitant to think the Mango Salsa was going to have any flavor as the ingredients seemed too simple.  For some reason, I can't get over it in my head that sometimes less ingredients really can blow your socks off.  It's true though.

These simple, simple ingredients came together to make one of the most refreshing mango salsa's I have had.  I love the flavor and was ready to just eat a bowl of it straight up.  I know it's wrong, but sometimes a girl can't help herself.   

As for the pork, it's easy to throw together.  The recipe calls for broiling, but I am huge on pan searing lately.  So, at nearly room temperature, I patted my chops dry and seasoned as the recipe called for.  I heated 2 pans on medium high and added a bit of EVOO. (I don't have a pan large enough for two porkchops without crowding. If you crowd, you could lose the chance for them to get a sear.)  Once fired up and heated, I tossed the porkchops into the pans. 

You'll be tempted to touch.  To peek.  To check.  Resist.  Resist harder.  Have faith that four to five minutes untouched on each side with create a delicious sear.  Once they were seared, I tossed them into the oven at 450 degrees and cooked futher another 10 minutes or so, until the middle was no longer pink.

Allow to cool for 5 minutes or so before slicing to preserve the juices in the meat.  If you slice too soon, they juices all run out and you lose some of the moisture.  Just say no to dried out meat.  Especially pork.  Pork gets a bad rap for being boring, but I think when it's done right, it's amazing.

Slice pork and top with Mango Salsa.  Serve with a freshly made salad, side of roasted veggies or some brown rice.  Dive in.  There's so reason you can't have a freshly made, healthy meal on busy weekdays!

Villa Mexico - A Review of Gas Station Tacos

Seven months ago, I found myself newly single and moving into a 350 square foot studio apartment in Boston's Beacon Hill.  I was a traumatized soul, wondering what the hell I was doing.  Confident in the move, but terrified of this new life and this new adjustment.  Where there had been safety in two, there was now only me.  Unfortunately, I needed to move over 4th of July weekend, so it was basically just me and my friend's Altima.  Beacon Hill parking is terrible and I stressed about how I would park, unpack and not get 1,000 tickets over the course of the weekend. 

I thought I had my answer in a little gas station across the street called Grampy's.  I assessed their little parking lot and figured I could definitely sweet talk my way into me parking off to the side, out of the way, while I moved and unpacked.  I approached the guy behind the counter, put on my nicest, sweetest voice and asked if he wouldn't mind helping a sista out.  Could I pretty please park right there?  I promise I won't be there long and I won't be in the way.

His reaction was so firm and rude that I left Grampy's with tears stinging my eyes.  I had not felt so lonely in such a long time.  I vowed that I would never, ever, again step foot in Grampy's with a dime of my business.  Ever.

And, with the exception of two very rare instances (I needed toilet paper), I have not.  When I heard rave reviews about a little Mexican restaurant called Villa Mexico that was actually located inside of Grampy's, I vowed never to go there either.  Mexican restaurant?  In a gas station?  Sounds like a recipe for an increase in toilet paper sales.

Except last night.  I worked late.  I was hungry and I'd only had a piece of cheesecake for lunch.  My fridge is awaiting my suburban grocery shopping trip tonight.  I thought about heading to the taco place in the West End, but it was so frigid, I didn't want to veer off course.  I decided I would try my best to make use of the spinach I have in the fridge. 

Then something came over me and I suddenly decided that I would try the gas station taco joint, Villa Mexico.  I walked in at 9:10 and the lady informed me that they closed at 9 pm.  However, she was very friendly and offered to make me whatever I wanted.  I decided on two chicken tacos for $5.25.  I'm not going to lie.  She microwaved part of it, threw it on a tortilla press and sprinkled on some shredded cheese.  I upgraded with sour cream and guac.  The price came to $5.75 and I went home with my gas station tacos. 

Unimpressive was my first impression.  Two measly tacos.  Microwaved.  At a gas station.  The side of salsa was black and scary looking.  For nearly $6.  I was beginning to regret this decision.  I took a bite, sans salsa.  Pretty unimpressive and bland.  Then I decided to give the salsa a go and I was taken aback.

Whatever is in the black salsa is amazing.  Truly, truly delicious.  I housed the salsa covered tacos in a matter of minutes.  But I couldn't bear to waste the remaining black salsa, so I heated up some brown rice and mixed it all together with a bit of lime juice and cilantro.  So good.

So while I'm not going to rave about this mexican restaurant located in a reject gas station, I will give credit where credit is due.  They make a mean ass salsa.  You can buy it directly from them for $24.00.  However, I think I'll have to start looking for a recipe to recreate it.