Alfredo Bacon and Pasta

What You Need:

3 C of uncooked bow tie pasta
1 1/2 C of frozen baby peas
Q C of Alfredo sauce
1/2 C of real bacon pieces

How to Make It:

Fill a saucepan half full of water, place over medium high heat and bring the water to a boil.
Carefully stir the pasta into the boiling water.
Cook the pasta for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the peas and bring the water back to a boil.
Cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Drain the pasta and peas well.
Return the pasta and peas back to the saucepan and place over low heat.
Stir in the Alfredo sauce and bacon pieces.
Cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until completely heated through.

Makes 4 servings

Being in the kitchen can be a lot of fun for not only the children but their adult helpers as well. Be sure to teach your children kitchen safety. Remind them of hot water, sharp knives and hot cooking surfaces. Teaching them safety in the kitchen also teaches them good habits that will last a lifetime.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 15 minutes
Total Time: approximately 30 minutes

Cantaloupe and Pork Salad

melonpork

What You Need:

1 (1 lb.) pork tenderloin
1 tbsp + 1 tsp dry Caribbean jerk seasoning, divided
1 tsp lime zest, grated
1/4 C lime juice
1 tbsp honey
8 C of mixed salad greens
1/2 cantaloupe, cut into wedges

How to Make It:

Heat the oven to 425 degrees.
Rub 1 tbsp of jerk seasoning over the loin and place the loin on a rack in a shallow baking pan.
Place in the oven and roast for 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees.
Transfer the loin to the cutting board and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
Let the loin stand at least 10 minutes, uncover and slice.
Whisk together the lime zest, juice and honey.
Place the greens on to a platter, add the cantaloupe wedges and carefully pour the sauce over the top.

Makes 4 servings

Jerk seasoning comes in many forms such as powder, dry paste or even as a marinade. Try making your own by mixing together allspice, hot chilies, salt and thyme then add your own special touch. These touches can be garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger or even brown sugar. Pork and cantaloupe compliment each other well making this both a healthy and tasty salad main course meal.

Preparation Time: approximately 20 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 30 minutes
Total Time: approximately 50 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 265; Fat 6g; Saturated Fat 2g; Carbohydrates 27g; Protein 26g; Fiber 2g Cholesterol 67mg; Sodium 104mg

Cheese Stuffed Pork Loin Roast

porkloin

What You Need:

1 tbsp of flour
1/4 tsp lemon pepper
2 tbsp butter, melted
2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
1 C of Swiss cheese, shredded
1 (2 lb.) boneless pork loin
6 oz. deli ham, sliced thin
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp dried marjoram
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil

How to Make It:

Allow the oven to preheat to 325 degrees.
Toss the flour and lemon pepper together in a small bowl.
Stir in the butter and cream until the mixture is smooth.
Add the cheese and stir to blend together well.
Slice the pork loin lengthwise to within a half inch of the bottom.
Lay out the cut pork loin and cover with plastic wrap.
Using a meat hammer flatten the meat to 3/4 inch thickness them remove the plastic wrap.
Place the ham slices over both sides of the open roast.
Spoon the cheese mixture down the center of the meat.
From the longest end roll the pork loin into a jelly roll around the filing.
Tie the rolled loin with kitchen string to hold shut.
In a small mixing bowl stir together the paprika, marjoram, oregano and basil.
Rub the mixture over the outside of the pork loin covering it well.
Place a roasting rack into a shallow roasting pan.
Place the loin on the rack and roast 90 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
Allow the roast to stand at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Makes 8 servings

Roasting pork can cause the meat to become very dry. Stuffing the meat with a filling helps to keep the meat moist from the inside out. Add a cream sauce to serve over this roast by sautéing chopped onion in butter until tender. Add 1 tbsp of cornstarch and stir until smooth. Stir in 1 C of heavy cream and 1/4 C of chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Boil the sauce stirring constantly for 2 minutes or until thick. Remove the sauce from heat and stir in 1 tsp of sour cream.

Pineapple Pork Steak Dinner

What You Need:

2 pork steaks, trimmed
2 dehydrated pineapple slices
2 yams
1 C frozen peas and pearl onions
1 C chicken broth
1 tbsp honey

How to Make It:

Cover the inside of a pressure cooker with a cooking spray.
Lay the meat into the heated cooker.
Brown the meat for 5 minutes per side.
Place the pineapple slices over the top of the meat.
Slice both yams 3/4 of the way through, into 5 or 6 slices and place in the cooker.
Dump the peas and onions over the top.
Pour in the chicken broth.
Cover and bring to high pressure, cooking for 10 minutes after the pressure is reached.
Remove and drizzle the honey over the yams before serving.

Makes 2 servings

This is a complete meal in one cooker and ready in about 20 minutes from start to finish. Brown sugar may be used in place of the honey if you wish.

Sausage Bean Soup with Thyme

beansinpot

beansinpotWhat You Need:

8 oz. mild pork sausage
1/2 C onion, chopped
2 (19 oz.) cans of great northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14 oz.) can chicken broth
1 t dried thyme
2 C fresh spinach, washed and chopped
1/4 C Parmesan cheese, fine shredded

How to Make It:

Place the sausage and onion into a soup pan.
Cook over medium heat for 6 minutes or until the sausage is browned, stirring often.
Drain well and return to the pan.
Add the beans and stir until blended in well.
Stir in the broth and thyme.
Cover the pan and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the spinach and cook an additional 5 minutes or until the spinach has wilted.
Top with the cheese before serving.

Makes 4 servings

Soups make a fast yet hearty evening meal. Serve with a sandwich on the side to fill them up. The spinach is optional in this soup or celery can be added in its place. If adding celery be sure to finely chop it then add it to the sausage and onion mixture cooking until tender.

Preparation Time: approximately 10 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 16 minutes
Total Time: approximately 26 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 187; Fat 16g; Saturated Fat 5g; Carbohydrates 39g; Fiber 13g;
Protein 25g; Cholesterol 41 mg; Sodium 1,021 mg

Pork Chops with Preserve Topping

apoicotpreserve

apoicotpreserveWhat You Need:

4 boneless pork chops
1/2 t salt
1/2 t pepper
1 T of olive oil
1/4 C of butter
3 T of maple syrup
3 T of apricot preserves
1/2 t dried basil
3 pears, cored and sliced thin

How to Make It:

Coat both sides of the chops with the salt and pepper.
Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat then add the chops.
Cook the chops for 10 minutes turning once, until the chops are cooked through.
Place the cooked chops on a platter and cover to keep warm.
Add the butter to the same skillet and heat until melted.
Stir the syrup and preserves into the butter until combined well.
Add the basil and stir again to incorporate.
Add the pear slices and stir to coat.
Cover the skillet and cook the pears for 3 minutes or until tender.
Top the pork chops with the sauce before serving.

Makes 4 servings

Apricot preserves and pears make a tasty sauce for these pork chops. Try other combination’s of fruits and preserves. Apples with peach preserves are a good combination. Add a salad or a vegetable to this meal for a quick and appetizing dinner.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Cook Time: approximately 13 minutes
Total Time: approximately 28 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 495; Fat 23g; Saturated Fat 11g; Carbohydrates 40g; Fiber 4g;
Protein 32g; Cholesterol 108 mg; Sodium 437 mg

Dressed up Ham and Swiss on Rye

ryebread

ryebreadWhat You Need:

1/2 C Thousand Island dressing
1 t mustard
1 C coleslaw mix, shredded
2 T of margarine
3 slices rye bread
4 oz. cooked ham, sliced thin
4 oz. Swiss cheese, sliced thin

How to Make It:

Place the salad dressing into a mixing bowl.
Whisk in the mustard until blended in well.
In a large mixing bowl stir together the coleslaw and dressing mixture.
Spread one side of each slice of bread with the margarine.
Place the slices of bread butter side down into the skillet.
Lay ham slices over the bread in the skillet.
Top with a spoonful of the coleslaw mixture.
Add a slice of cheese to each sandwich.
Place the remaining bread slices over the top of each sandwich, butter side up.
Cook the sandwiches 3 minutes over medium low heat.
Turn the sandwich over and cook 3 minutes longer or until nicely browned.

Makes 4 servings

In a hurry but want a good meal? Sandwiches can be just what you need. Add French fries or tater tots along with a bowl of fresh fruit. Whole wheat or marble rye bread works just as well as rye bread. You may also substitute Colby Jack or mozzarella cheese for the Swiss.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 6 minutes
Total Time: approximately 21 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 409; Fat 21g; Saturated Fat 9g; Carbohydrates 37g; Fiber 5g; Protein 18g; Cholesterol 54 mg; Sodium 1,023 mg

Pork Meatballs in Tomato Pasta

meatballs

meatballsWhat You Need:

3 c of rotini pasta
1 t olive oil
2/3 C of water
1 lb. ground pork
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 C of bread crumbs
1/2 t of salt
1/4 t of pepper
2 (12 oz.) jars of marinara sauce, divided
3 carrots, sliced into coins
1 small zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut into slices
1 yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into strips

How to Make It:

Allow the oven to preheat to 450 degrees.
Spray a cast iron Dutch oven on the bottom and sides with a non stick cooking spray.
Place the pasta into the pan, drizzle with the olive oil and toss to coat well.
Pour the water into the pan.
Crumble the ground pork into a mixing bowl.
Place the egg into the bowl.
Add the bread crumbs, salt and pepper.
Using your hands mix all the ingredients together well.
Form the mixture into even sized meatballs.
Place the meatballs into the pan.
Add one jar of the marinara sauce and stir to coat the meatballs.
Place the zucchini, carrots and bell peppers into the pan.
Add the second jar of sauce over the top of the vegetables and stir to coat.
Cover and bake 45 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through and the vegetables are fork tender.

Makes 4 servings

If you prefer you may use ground beef, ground turkey or ground chicken to create these tasty meatballs. Any type of pasta may be used in this recipe.

Preparation Time: approximately 20 minutes
Baking Time: approximately 45 minutes
Total Time: approximately 1 hour 05 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 724; Fat 28g; Carbohydrates 74g; Cholesterol 206 mg; Sodium 133 mg; Protein 45g; Fiber 8g

White Beans with Sausage and Tomatoes

beansuasage

beansuasageWhat You Need:

1 onion, halved and sliced thin
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 (14 oz.) cans of Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
2 t dried thyme
1 t celery seeds
1/2 t of salt
1/4 t of pepper
6 (1 ½ lbs.) sausage links
1 zucchini, sliced thin
2 (14 oz.) cans diced tomatoes, drained

How to Make It:

Spray the bottom and sides of a cast iron Dutch oven pan with cooking spray.
Place the oven temperature at 450 degrees and allow the oven to preheat.
Spread the onions and garlic over the bottom of the pan.
Spread the beans out into a smooth layer over the onions and garlic.
Evenly sprinkle the thyme, celery seeds, salt and pepper into the pan.
Place the sausage in a single layer over the beans.
Spread the zucchini over the sausage then add the tomatoes.
Cover and bake for 35 minutes until the sausage is cooked through and the beans are soft.

Makes 4 servings

5 or 6 fresh tomatoes, chopped may be used in place of the canned tomatoes if you prefer.
You may also use cooked coarsely crumbled sausage in this dish instead of the links.

Preparation Time: approximately 10 minutes
Baking Time: approximately 35 minutes
Total Time: approximately 45 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 373; Fat 19g; Carbohydrates 29g; Cholesterol 40g; Sodium 875 mg; Protein 24g;
Fiber 9g

Honey Mustard Pork with Vegetables

pork

porkWhat You Need:

1 1/2 lb. pork tenderloin
1/2 t salt
1/4 t of pepper
1/2 C of honey
6 T of Dijon mustard
1 t ground ginger
1 t ground cinnamon
1/2 t ground cloves
10 small new potatoes
4 carrots, sliced into coins
3 C of frozen cut green beans

How to Make It:

Adjust the oven temperature to 450 degrees and allow the oven to preheat.
Lightly spray a cast iron Dutch oven with a non stick cooking spray.
Season the meat with the salt and pepper and place it in the bottom of the pan.
Place the honey and mustard into a small mixing bowl and whisk until well blended.
Add the ginger, cinnamon and cloves and stir until blended in well.
Pour the honey mustard mixture over the top of the meat.
Scatter the potatoes over the top of the meat.
Add the carrots and then the green beans.
Cover the pan and bake 45 minutes or until the pork is cooked through.

Makes 4 servings

Kids love this dish because of the honey mustard sauce. It is also low in fat and full of nutrients. Substitute chicken or turkey breast in place of the pork if you prefer.

Preparation Time: approximately 5 minutes
Baking Time: approximately 45 minutes
Total Time: approximately 50 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 507; Fat 6g; Carbohydrates 79g; Cholesterol 105 mg; Sodium 475 mg; Protein 41g; Fiber 7g