Sides for birthday dinner?

[flamin lib]

Main course is roast pork loin brined in apple juice, steamed asparagus and ?????

I'm thinking sweet potatoes; mashed? baked? or some baked recipe?

Another starch?

Garnishes? Apple sauce seems a natural but what about something spicy like jalapeno jelly?

Thoufgts?

[The empressof all]

1. If you like spicy...try spicy sweet potatoes

I sweat an onion in some EVOO, throw some chili powder and red pepper in the oil after the onions are almost done then plop in some diced par boiled sweets. I dump in a can of drained diced tomatoes (or you can omit the red pepper and just add a can of rotel) and let it cook on low with a cover until the potatoes are done. It's yummy on it's own with rice too.

I also think roast pork loin goes well with just plain mashed potatoes with gravy

You can also make kapusta which is drained saurkraut and shredded cabbage cooked on low with a browned onion. Add a half a cup of white wine and let it cook until it is soft.

[GoCubsGo]

7. Mmmmm....kapusta!

My uncle's father made a version of it. He also added bacon and sliced kielbasa. I'll have to make it some time.

[The empressof all]

8. I eat mostly Vegan so I always forget the Bacon

It is really good isn't it. I usually make the kapusta in my slow cooker. I drain the saurkraut and give it a very quick rinse and add lots and lots of browned onions and the wine of course. I add shredded cabbage to the mix which isn't traditional but I like the interplay of flavors. I serve it with lots of boiled little potatoes.

We always had it with kielbasi or roast pork growing up! I introduced it to my husband when we got married and he's hooked. I make it once a month or so as it keeps pretty well in the fridge if he doesn't eat it all in one sitting. :rofl: It's great on top of hot dogs too.

Traditionally I think you are suppose to add caraway seed. I just stick to salt and pepper.

[Glassunion]

2. If you are going the sweet potato route... It's a birthday... Go overboard.

Bake off the sweet potatoes and allow them to cool down.

Preheat your oven to 400.

Scoop out the guts and mash them.

Add brown sugar and a little nutmeg to the mash. Keep tasting, and don't make it too sweet.

In a large separate bowl take coconut flakes and add granulated sugar. About 1/2 a cup of sugar to 1 cup of flakes.

Take a handful of the mash in your hand and make it into a ball shape(it will be goopy) and they will be about the size of a baseball.

Insert one large marshmallow into the center of the ball.

Roll the ball in the coconut sugar mixture to coat the outside.

Place on greased baking sheet. Repeat the ball making process until you are out of mash.

Place in the oven for about 15 min. ****Constantly check them. If one starts to ooze out marshmallow take them out, they are done*****

The coconut sugar mixture will put a nice crust on the outside of the balls.

[Tesha]

3. this sounds good...

Place the pork roast in a medium baking dish. Season red potatoes with salt and pepper, and arrange around the roast. Place sweet potatoes and cinnamon in a resealable plastic bag, and shake to coat. Arrange sweet potatoes around the roast. Place apple over the roast and potatoes. Top with butter slices. Seal baking dish tightly with foil.
Cook 1 1/2 hours in the preheated oven, or until the internal temperature of the pork has reached 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/cinnamon-pork-loin-and-potatoes/detail.aspx

[trud]

4. my Mom always

served sauerkraut with pork. Being a vegetarian for years,I am not sure how she cooked it, but I believe it was in with the pork, so it picked up the flavor. Excuse me now while I go apologize to pigs for even discussing this...

[EFerrari]

5. When I make stuffed pork loin, usually serve it with reg and sweet potatoes

with a bit of cranberry sauce. The fanciness of the stuffing lets me off the hook for fanciness of the sides.

[grasswire]

6. sweet potatoes with cream and chipotle

That's a Bobby Flay creation, and it is delicious. I'm not crazy about Bobby, but I do like this dish, as well as his sweet potato buttermilk biscuits and his grilled peaches with blue cheese and bacon smashed potatoes.