Blackeye pea salad

Before I get to a recipe today I would like to tell you how proud I am of my 5-year-old, strong-willed, SMART, funny little boy who has a very special heart. He was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, Pulmonary Atresia and MAPCAs at birth. So far in his 5 years, he has undergone 3 open heart surgeries and 8 heart cathetrizations, and a half-dozen non-heart-related surgeries, as well. His trials have put life into major perspective for our family. We adore this boy, and we are constantly amazed at how far he has come, and how strong he continues to be throughout it all!

Today we walked 3+ miles to honor him, and the many other kids like him who were born with heart defects. It was a special day! We had a few friends join us for the walk, and that made it even more special. A lot of money was raised today for a very good cause. We were thrilled to be a part of it!

With that said, we are all tired tonight. The boys are fast asleep and I am relaxing on our porch with a glass of wine before heading to bed myself. Real quick, I want to share another delicious summer salad with you all! This can double as a salad and salsa, and many other things, honestly. Spoon it over a burger or a wrap or a sandwich or a green leafy salad.

Want to read more? Head on over to Jeff's Plate, where you can find the rest of the details. My good blogging friend Jeff is getting married next week, so he asked me to write a guest post on his blog while he helped out with wedding details. Of course I said yes! I adore his blog and his food and his friendship, too, of course.

Head on over and wish Jeff and his fiance congratulations! 

Printable recipe: Blackeye pea salad

Roasted pork with black-eyed pea salad

Here I go, making more pork. I had no idea there were so many delicious ways to season, cook and flavor pork. The Other White Meat has officially shown me its true versatility. It's been fun, delicious and satisfying exploring this meat.

I still owe you all a post detailing my mother's amazing pork-chop-making process, but in the meantime here is another delicious way to prepare pork!

(Source: Everyday Food: From the Kitchens of Martha Stewart Living)

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.

In a small bowl, combine:

1 tablespoon paprika

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (use 1/4 tsp for less heat)

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Place 2 small pork tenderloins (10 oz. each) or 1 large tenderloin (1 1/2 lbs.) on a rimmed baking sheet. Rub the pork with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and sprinkle all over with the spice mixture, patting the meat gently.

Roast in the preheated oven until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 150 degrees F. This will take somewhere around 20-25 minutes.

While the pork is cooking, combine the following ingredients in a medium bowl:

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 can (15-oz.) black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed

1 package (10-oz.) frozen corn kernels, thawed

1 red bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed, finely diced

2 scallions, thinly sliced

Salt and pepper, to taste

Toss the ingredients together and serve with sliced pieces of the tenderloin.

The heat from the meat rub, the freshness of the salad and the juiciness of the pork all taste soooo good together.

Click here for a printable recipe!