Fall Supper: Pork Tenderloin with Autumn Sauce, Butternut Squash & Buttercream Potato Gratin, and Dark Magic Gingerbread with Butterscotch Sauce

by Laura on November 3, 2010

I remember the first day I joined my book group.  They had been meeting without additions to the group for about a decade, so I was a bit puzzled about why I had the good luck to be invited.  They were smart and well read and covered a wide political and religious spectrum.  But most striking was their unconditional support of each other and their honesty.   They have taught me a lot over the last three years, but chiefly perhaps that a willingness to be truly honest, to be vulnerable, is a gift.  It was my turn to host again today, so I cooked this meal.  We laughed and ate and talked and nearly polished off the cake.  It is always uplifting to be with friends who, whatever their diverse experiences, set aside time to share.

This menu is wonderfully simple and fairly quick to make.  After a quick sear, whole pork tenderloins finish in less than 20 minutes in the oven. Cubes of roasted butternut squash, done in 20 minutes, and boiled buttercream potatoes are mashed together in their serving dish, drizzled with cream, dotted with butter, and topped with Emmenthaler cheese.   They bake in the same 400 degree oven for 20 minutes alongside the pork.  While the pork and the gratin bake, you stir up a quick pan sauce with the pan drippings, sliced onions, dried fruit, sherry, and a little currant jam and cold butter.  It’s all table ready in less than an hour.  And the cake and the sauce can be made well in advance.   Make it for yourself, for your family, or for a group you love.

Fall Supper:
Pork Tenderloin with Autumn Sauce, (recipe below)
Butternut Squash and Buttercream Potato Gratin, (recipe below)
Dark Magic Gingergbread with Vanilla Ice Cream and Butterscotch Sauce (recipe here)

To make this menu gluten-free, skip the gingerbread and serve the butterscotch sauce over ice cream.

{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Ana Stanton February 5, 2012 at 1:02 am

wow, awesome blog post.Thanks Again. Much obliged.

2 RICKI HANNA September 15, 2012 at 12:43 pm

I LOVE YOUR WEBSITE FORMAT. I’M ALWAYS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING NEW TO FIX FOR OUR EVENING MEAL THAT I CAN HAVE READY AS HE WALKS THROUGH THE DOOR. YOU NOT ONLY PROVIDED RECIPES BUT A GAME PLAN TO WORK FROM. THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I’M PASSIMG YOUR WEBSITE ADDRESS ON TO MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW WHO IS A STAY-AT HOME MOM OF 2 PRE-SCHOOLERS AT THIS TIME AND CAN USE THE TIME CRUNCH RELIEF. THANKS AGAI.N.

3 Laura September 15, 2012 at 8:59 pm

Thank you. I’m so happy you found it useful.

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