Side dish for pork loin?

[Sheherezade]

We are making a stuffed pork loin for our dinner party this weekend. It is stuffed with a polenta (actually pretty yummy) and served with a tart cherry sauce. Any ideas what I should put on the side? I keep thinking sauted fresh spinach with garlic and oil...but I don't think most people like that. (I do.... )

[DCJenn]

I wouldn't do anything too garlicky if it'll compete with the cherry tartness.

If the cherries are truly tart, I'd counter act with something on the bland/sweet (not too sweet though) side. Either a kiss winter good-bye mashed sweet potatoes/carrots side (basically mash them together w/ cream and butter) or a welcome spring tossed baby lettuces with strawberries and a nice blue cheese crumbled on top- maybe with some candied pecans or walnuts or a welcome spring steamed asparagus with steamed baby peas. (maybe a dill or tarragon infused olive oil sprinkled on top.)

But that's just me.

Jenn

I like all of those ideas -- spinach, salad, sweet potatoes or butternut squash.

And, dang it!, I was just at TJs and forgot the EVOO. Doh!

[Sheherezade]

I wish you guys could come! I'll be with the mismatched neighbors. I think I'm going shopping tonight to see what looks good in the produce section. Thanks for all the suggestions. (I love the salad combo Jenn....I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.)

[Vanquisher]

Ladybug's post reminded my off an easy spinach and strawberry salad that is yummy on all recipes.

http://salad.allrecipes.com/az/Spinacha ... ySalad.asp

Put the dressing on just before serving.

Also, I have a salad recipe that uses candied almonds and mandarin oranges if you want that one. You could easily add bleu cheese and/or dried cranberries to either of these.

Yum! So, I'm invited to dinner, right? :yum:

What time would you like us to arrive? Can I bring a bottle of wine?

[Sheherezade]

Uh, Nellie.....you're bringing dessert! In fact, you are always bringing dessert. Former pastry chef and all that. But you can bring the wine, too.

I hear we are having martinis first with an unnamed appetizer, then chocolate fondue and coffee at the dessert house. Yum. I'm just hoping that the pork loin cooks OK in my automatic oven while I'm downing drinks at the neighbors. I hadn't really considered how this progressive thing would be affected by the actually cooking. I'm planning on preparing the loin and putting it in to roast while we are at drinks. My oven turns on and off automatically, so I'm hoping that will help. It cooks for 40 minutes. I'll have to do the veggies when we get here, of course. And the cherry sauce, since it's made from deglazing the roasting pan. This would all be easier with a personal chef.