You probably don’t know it, but you may have the secret ingredients for an exceptional Easter dinner in your pantry right now. The holidays are a perfect opportunity to sprinkle creativity into special meals by using staples like pancake mix, syrup and instant mashed potatoes in unexpected ways to craft new and delicious dishes the whole family will love.
Celebrity Chef Adam Gertler, host of Food Network’s “Kid in a Candy Store,” along with Hungry Jack®, have come up with original, easy-to-prepare recipes using everyday items to create a memorable Easter meal.
“Planning for a holiday meal can be stressful,” says Chef Gertler. “But by looking to your pantry for inspiration, you will find ingredients to make a truly unique and special meal sure to delight your family and guests!”
Here are ways to use up what you already have to make a complete Easter menu, including savory Bacon and Cheese Appetizer Bites, Spinach Salad with Warm Maple Dijon Vinaigrette, Maple Glazed Pork Tenderloin, and a sweet Spiced Mocha Fudge Cake. You’ll create an Easter meal worth celebrating and make your hungry family a happy one.
For more creative recipes and tips, visit www.useupthebox.com.
Adam Gertler’s Use Up the Box Pantry Tips
* Punchy Potatoes: Add a teaspoon of prepared horseradish or Dijon mustard and a sprinkle of garlic powder to Hungry Jack Instant Mashed Potatoes for gourmet flavor ready in less than five minutes.
* Make dry spices last: Ground spices tend to lose pungency rather quickly. Buy spices like cinnamon, cayenne pepper, cumin, nutmeg, cloves and allspice whole and grind small batches as you need them. It’s a good idea to have a separate coffee grinder for your spices.
* Save room and keep dry goods fresh: When you get home from the grocery store, transfer flours, pastas, cereals and other dry grains into resealable storage bags or containers. Simply label and date them with a marker, and you’ll be surprised at how much extra room you’ll have in your pantry.
Maple Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Prep Time: 7 minutes, cook time: 12 minutes
1–teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
1–teaspoon dried marjoram leaves, crushed
1/4–teaspoon salt
1/4–teaspoon onion powder
1/4–teaspoon garlic powder
1–pound pork tenderloin, cut into
1/2–inch slices
1–tablespoon butter
2–tablespoons Hungry Jack Original Regular Syrup
Directions
1. COMBINE thyme, marjoram, salt, onion powder and garlic powder in large resealable food storage bag. Seal bag and shake well. Add pork slices. Seal bag. Shake to coat.
2. MELT butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork mixture. Cook and stir 8 to 10 minutes or until pork is browned and no longer pink in center. Add syrup. Cook and stir until pork is glazed.
The J.M. Smucker Company. Folgers Classic Roast is a trademark of The Folgers Coffee Company.
Pillsbury BEST is a trademark of The Pillsbury Company, LLC, used under license.
