Friday, February 17, 2012

Pork Tenderloin

February is National Heart Month so I am sharing heart healthy recipes with you all month long!


          Most often we automatically think of skinless chicken breast as the obvious lean protein choice but what about the other white meat?  Pork tenderloin is at the top of the list for heart healthy meat choices with less calories and cholesterol per serving.  Enjoy tender and juicy pork by following the USDA's updated guidelines for cooking temperatures.  Overcooking lean meats only dries them out and causes them to become less enjoyable and satisfying to eat.  



Recipe:

Ingredients

  • 1 lb pork tenderloin
  • 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ tsp kosher salt  
  • 1 tsp  ground black pepper
  • ½ T chili powder
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp ground coriander
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 3 C fresh or frozen green beans
  • 2 C unsweetened apple sauce

1.   Preheat your oven to 425⁰ and heat an oven safe pan with 1 T extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat.

2.  Combine salt, pepper, cumin, ground coriander and garlic powder in a small dish and apply the dry rub to the pork.

3.  Place the pork in the pan and sear on all sides.

4.  Move the pan into the oven for about 15-20 minuets or until the internal temperature reaches 145⁰.  Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minuets tented with foil before slicing.

5.  While the pork is resting, steam the green beans for 5-7 minuets.

6.  Serve with applesauce.

Nutritional Information:
Recipe yields 4 servings - each serving provides: 

Calories:  256
Fat:  6.6 g total fat, 1.2 g sat fat, 0 g trans fat
Carbohydrates:  23 g
Protein:  25.5 g
Fiber:  5.1 g
Sodium:  312.3 mg
Cholesterol:  73.8 mg

          Lean cuts of meat include loin, round, chuck, sirloin and skinless white meat.  When it comes to ground meats look for packages labeled 95% lean -- and don't forget to check your ground turkey and chicken -- it needs to be labeled 95-99% lean as well.  You can also trim the fat off before cooking to help keep yourself trim!

Friday, February 10, 2012

Salmon, Couscous and Broccoli! Oh, my!

         February is National Heart Month so I am sharing heart healthy recipes with you all month long! 



          Salmon is a great heart healthy protein packed with omega-3's.  Omega-3 fatty acid is a necessary nutrient, but one the human body can not produce so we must obtain it from the foods we eat.  The American Heart Association recommends consuming fatty fish like salmon twice a week.  Similar to most Americans, I was not used to eating, never mind cooking fish so I have started with a goal of cooking fish once a week at home.  Here is a recipe for a pan fried salmon with couscous and broccoli that never gets old.    





Recipe:

Ingredients


  • 1 lb salmon filet
  • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp  ground black pepper
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 C Israeli couscous
  • ¼ C scallions, thinly sliced
  • ¼ C dried cranberries
  • 1 lb broccoli florets


1.   Heat a pan with 1 T extra virgin olive oil over medium heat

2.  Rub the salmon with the remain olive oil and season with salt and pepper,

3.  Place the salmon in the pan skin side down for 5-7  minutes .  Flip over and cook for an additional 4-6  minutes .

4.  While the fish is cooking add 1 C couscous and 1 C chicken broth to a small sauce pan on high heat until it begins to boil.  Cover and turn down to a simmer for 5 minutes.

5.  Steam broccoli 4-5 minuets.

6.  Remove fish from the pan and allow to rest 5 minuets before cutting into 4 equal pieces and topping with lemon juice.

7.  Add scallions, dried cranberries and the zest of one lemon to the couscous.



Nutritional Information:
Recipe yields 4 servings - each serving provides: 

Calories:  452
Fat:  14.8 g total fat, 2.2 g sat fat, 0 g trans fat
Carbohydrates:  47.3 g
Protein:  31.8 g
Fiber:  6.2 g
Sodium:  360.9 mg
Cholesterol:  68 mg

          Studies have shown that EPA and DHA, the two omega-3 fatty acids, help to decrease LDL (bad cholesterol), triglycerides, blood pressure, lessen the build up of plaque in the arteries and reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack.  Here's to fatty fish twice a week!
          
          Check out the American Heart Association and the Center for Disease Control for more info about Nation Heart Month and Cardiovascular health.