Garlic Onion Pork Loin with Creamy Mashed Potatoes

I've had this Costco Swift(?) Pork Loin in my freezer for a while, so I decided to go ahead and defrost it after work yesterday. I was way too tired, and ended up passing out on my bed, only to wake up almost two hours later. My sister needed a book for her final today, so rather than cooking it up and spending all that time, my dad and I brought the book to Jen, and just went out to eat.

Which brings me to Pork Loin tonight!!!

Pork Loin

• Costco Onion Garlic marinated Pork Loin

I just cooked this according to the directions: Place lean side down and bake for 20 minutes for each pound. Pretty simple. A pan with a layer of foil, the pork loin, 350 F oven, and some rosemary garlic seasoning and dried crushed red pepper on top for flavor. Mine was 4 lbs so I let it cook for around 1:20.

Mashed Potatoes

• Red skin potatoes
• Dried Italian Herbs
• Garlic Salt
• Fresh Cracked Pepper
• Butter
• Yogurt

I let the potatoes boil for 30 minutes, then let it simmer for another 30. Half because I wanted the potatoes to be well cooked throughout, and half because I was doing other things and forgot about them (oh well). Drain the potatoes after you're finished and BRING THEM BACK TO THE FIRE. If you don't do this last step you'll end up with water in your mashed potatoes. No one wants that. You'll learn the water steaming away. After 30 seconds turn the flame off and mash your potatoes. I added about a tablespoon of butter, some fresh cracked pepper, garlic salt, dried italian herbs, and about 3/4 cup of homemade yogurt. Yogurt is a good healthy alternative to sour cream, and since I make about a quart of non fat yogurt a week I had plenty in my refrigerator. Make sure to taste to see if you'd like to add more butter or salt.

I made some gravy from a mix I bought during lunch today, and that's it. The pork loin has a great flavor to it, and it's incredibly tender. The mashed potatoes have a great creamy consistency, while still having solid small potato chunks inside to remind you of what you're eating. I feel that the skin adds a nice texture and flavor to the mashed potatoes as well. I had it with a glass of Merlot from Trader Joe's ;X

Stop by for a bite, I think I still have 3.689 lbs of it.