Freezer Meals: Crockpot Pork

During my pregnancy, I knew that cooking after a baby would be difficult. However, I didn't realize just how difficult it would be those first few months. My husband works late hours, so he was never really able to help out with dinner. Korbin was always awake around dinner time, and he would not let me put him in his swing or anything to fix dinner. He just wanted mommy. I made a lot of meals while pregnant that went into the freezer. When I saw what a life saver they were after the baby arrived, I decided to give it another go. Now with a baby in tow, I needed something that I could dump and walk away from. So, I found myself turning to things that I could do in a crockpot or one dish wonders for the oven that would hold up in a freezer. We have a big daddy freezer in my garage. If you don't have one, get one. It will be a lifesaver after you have a baby.

Enter Crockpot Pork

My husband loves pork tenderloin, and I like that it is a fairly healthier cut of beef. I also like that when I buy it, usually there are two in the wrap so I can do two totally different things with them (or like I did this time I made two of these for the freezer. This stuff seriously falls apart, it is so tender. I swear I know the cranberry sauce sounds so funny, but just trust. I HATE cranberry sauce, but I LOVE THIS!

In a gallon freezer bag (I label it with the name, date, and instructions prior to putting in the ingredients)

Ingredients:
a Pork Tenderloin
1 can of whole cranberry sauce
1 package of Lipton soup mix (I have used onion and Beefy onion)
2-4 tablespoons of mustard (spicy, Dijon, just not the regular yellow mustard)
1-2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
1-2 tablespoons of Lite soy sauce
1/2-1 tablespoon of liquid smoke (I love the smoky flavor)
Splash or two of bourbon or whiskey (optional)

Label the bag and put the instructions on the bag. (That way you can just have the hubby throw it in if you are otherwise incapacitated (napping, feeding, diaper changing, or trying to do those mountainous loads of laundry that will pile up after the baby is born). * I forgot to put the instructions on this one because I make it so frequently that I just know what to do.

To cook: Thaw overnight in the fridge. DO NOT PUT IN THE CROCKPOT FROZEN! Pour contents of bag into your crockpot and cook on low for 8-10 hours.

Side Note: You can also make this without freezing first.

Another note: after searching the internet, I found a recipe very similar to this one. However, I use more liquids and spices than this cranberry dijon pork recipe does. But for those of you that like something a little quicker and less ingredients, here you go.

Coming Soon: White Chicken Chili