Pesto sun-dried tomato roasted pork loin

I had bought some delicious pesto this week and didn't want to do the usual pasta with pesto.  I also found these fun sun-dried tomato flakes at Williams Sonoma this week and have been using them in everything. Here's my recipe for the most flavorful and simple roasted pork loin.

1 boneless pork loin (about 2-3 pounds)
1/2 C. prepared pesto
1/2 C.white wine
2 Tbs. sun-dried tomato flakes (if you don't have these, use 6-7 chopped sun-dried tomatoes)

Preheat oven to 375.  Place pork in a deep dish casserole dish.  Spread pesto over the loin, then sprinkle tomato flakes.  Add white wine to the bottom of the pan.  Cook uncovered for 1 hour and 20 minutes.

This is an incredibly flavorful roast that can be served over egg noodles or served in a baguette with
sliced tomatoe and arugula.

Thai lemongrass chicken in lettuce cups

This is one of my all-time favorite meals; the crispness of the ingredients remind me of hot summer days and what better way to usher in our first really warm day then to make this dish.

1 lb. ground lean chicken or turkey

2 cubes each frozen garlic and ginger

3 Tbs. hoisin sauce

1 Tbs. soy sauce

1 Tbs. rice wine vinegar

2 Tbs. sweet chili sauce

zest from 1/2 lime

2 Tbs. Garden Gourmet lemongrass

Saute above ingredients in a nonstick pan until chicken is fully cooked and crumbled.  Set aside.  

1/2 package cellophane noodles

1/2 English cucumber, peeled

2 carrots

1/2 mango

1/2 red pepper

2 scallions

1/4 C. fresh Thai basil (regular is fine if you can't find Thai)

1/4 C. fresh mint

1/2 C. fresh cilantro

1 head lettuce, romaine or iceberg

1/4 C. salted peanuts (optional for garnish)

Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook cellophane noodles for 3 minutes.  Drain and combine with ground chicken and set aside in a bowl.

Julienne the cucumber, carrot, mango and red pepper.  I use this great julienne tool that looks like a peeler, but is much easier than doing it "long hand"-you can find it in most kitchen supply stores or amazon.com.

Chop scallions, basil, cilantro and mint, mix together in a bowl and either combine with cellophane noodles and chicken.  Pull apart lettuce leaves and place on a plate until ready to use.  Place chicken mixture in a lettuce leaf and enjoy!