pig on pig

'If you want a subject, look to pork!' 

                        - Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

Digging through my fridge yesterday morning hoping to find some inspiration for dinner, I hit the jackpot with the discovery of a thawed pork loin (thank you, past self!) and a few slices of bacon. Combined with the makings for green bean casserole, which I found in my pantry, and some homemade rolls and apple sauce, we'd have a nice dinner - enough to share with friends, even.

Speaking of... This is why I love my friends:

I text one of the boys at about 5pm, telling him that we'll have plenty of food if he wants to join us for dinner. An hour later, he and the other two show up unannounced at my door. Strangely, they have Jimmy John's sandwiches in their hands. Parker asks them why they brought food, since we're going to be eating in just a couple of hours. 'There's going to be food?!' Apparently my text had gone unread; they just randomly decided to stop over. And thanks to the appetites of four guys, I didn't even have leftovers to clutter the fridge!

Pig on Pig (Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin)

1 pork loin

3-6 slices bacon

Grilling rub of your choice (I used Famous Dave's Rib Rub)

First, rub the pork loin generously with seasoning. Depending on the amount of bacon you're using (in my opinion, the more the better), wrap the strips around the loin, or simply lay them across the top. Let the meat rest for an hour, then cook in a 350 degree oven for 60-75 minutes. The bacon grease will keep the loin nice and juicy, and the bacon crisps enough for sandwich use. 

(we got so hungry we forgot to take a picture of the pork before we carved it)

Apples are a famously good accompaniment to pork, and I've recently been craving some good homemade 

sauce like my grandma used to make. It's the easiest thing in the world, and a pretty healthy 'dessert' option. 

Chunky Applesauce (makes approximately 4 cups)

6 tart, crisp apples (I use Granny Smith)

1/8-1/4 C water

up to 2 T sugar

Cinnamon (optional)

Peel, core, and slice or quarter the apples. Put in a saucepan with enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. Add sugar. Cook over medium low heat, stirring occasionally to break up the apples as they soften, until the sauce reaches desired consistency. Sprinkle in some cinnamon if you like, and serve either hot or cold.

It felt pretty good to serve a meal that would make my grandma proud, cooking everything from scratch and feeding some of my favourite people. A good way to start spring, in my opinion. 

Cheers!