Herb Pork Tenderloin & Franklin Lake

Dale's Pork Tenderloin

2 to 2.5 lb Pork Tenderloin- fat trimmed off
1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
1/4 cup Virgin Olive Oil
6 cloves minced garlic
2 tsp ground cumin
2 Tbls Lemon Juice
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground black pepper

In a food processor, combine cilantro, parsley, olive oil, garlic, cumin, lemon juice, paprika, salt, & pepper.

Place pork tenderloin on a sheet of saran wrap, rub mixture over top and sides of tenderloin. Seal & place in frig for 6-8 hours or overnight.

Prepare charcoal, and grill tenderloin for 20 minutes or until temp reads 160 degrees. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

For as long as I can remember my grandmother's old log cabin on Franklin Lake has been a place of rest, escape, and great food.  My grandpa and grandma bought their home in the 1970's.  Although it was a bit run down, with a little elbow grease and a lot of insulation, my family winterized and improved the house.  I am not exactly sure what the property cost them then but my grandfather's saying lives on, "I bought a $50,000 shack with a million dollar sunset."  Over the years, this house has seen tragedy and triumph.  From the loss of my grandparents and cousin, to the additions of spouses and grandchildren, this home has stood as representation of our ever changing family. While our family and this home have changed, two things remain as brilliant as ever-- the sunsets and the meals we share as a family.  

At the heart of our home and our family has always been the kitchen.  From my sister and I licking the cookie beaters on the counter as kids to learning how to make gravy with my grandmother as an adult, the small kitchen of this home is the center from which my favorite memories were created.  As our lives and home change I know that I can always return to our kitchen and our table to be surrounded by good food, good friends, and the best family.  

A few weekends ago, I was fortunate enough to share this home with Bethany and Ryan.  As we all sat around, eating my dad's famous pork tenderloin and drinking beer, I made a mental note to remember that moment. Luckily, Bethany is always ready with her camera and I won't have to rely on mental notes because she so beautifully captured everything that this house represents.   

Food can represent so much all at once-- food is a moment in time, your heritage, family traditions, new adventures, a blessing, hard work, and your place in the world.  When I am at Franklin Lake our meals are all of this and more.  As twenty-somethings we have to appreciate not only the table and life we are working so hard to create but also the table, kitchen, and home from which we grew. 

With love and good cooking-
Whitney