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Pecan-Crusted Pork with Red Onion Marmalade and Roasted Sweet Potatoes*

Photo by: Randy Mayor

  • Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 2 cutlets, 1/4 cup onion marmalade, and 3/4 cup sweet potatoes)

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds peeled sweet potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
  • Cooking spray
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, divided
  • 1 bacon slice, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 1 medium red onion, sliced and separated into rings (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger
  • 1 pound pork tenderloin
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1/3 cup ground pecans
  • 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 2 large egg whites, lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon butter or stick margarine
  • 4 teaspoons finely chopped pecans, toasted

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°.

Arrange potato slices in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar; arrange bacon on top. Bake at 400° for 30 minutes. Turn potatoes over; bake an additional 30 minutes or until tender. Keep warm.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and 2 tablespoons sugar; cook 6 minutes or until onion is tender and lightly browned, stirring frequently. Stir in water, vinegar, and ginger; bring to a boil. Cook 3 minutes, and remove from heat.

Trim fat from pork, and cut crosswise into 8 pieces. Place each piece between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap, and flatten to 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.

Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup. Place 1/4 cup flour in a shallow dish. Combine 1/4 cup flour, ground pecans, and pepper in a separate shallow dish. Dredge pork in flour, shaking off excess. Dip pork in egg whites; dredge in pecan mixture, coating both sides.

Melt butter in pan coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Arrange pork in pan in a single layer. Cook 3 minutes on each side or until browned. Top pork with onion mixture; sprinkle with chopped pecans. Serve with sweet potatoes.

 

  • Calories: 685
  • Calories from fat: 30%
  • Fat: 23.2g
  • Saturated fat: 5.4g
  • Monounsaturated fat: 11.4g
  • Polyunsaturated fat: 4.9g
  • Protein: 33.2g
  • Carbohydrate: 87.3g
  • Fiber: 9.1g
  • Cholesterol: 86mg
  • Iron: 4.5mg
  • Sodium: 190mg
  • Calcium: 89mg

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No Bake Cookies+

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
4 tablespoons cocoa
1 stick butter
1/2 cup milk
1 cup peanut butter
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 cups oatmeal
Waxed paper

Directions

In a heavy saucepan bring to a boil, the sugar, cocoa, butter and milk. Let boil for 1 minute then add peanut butter, vanilla and oatmeal. On a sheet of waxed paper, drop mixture by the teaspoonfuls, until cooled and hardened.

My original recipe calls for 3 Tbsp cocoa, 1/2 c peanut butter and 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp vanilla.  Not much different.
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Jerk-Rubbed Catfish with Spicy Cilantro Slaw+

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cabbage-and-carrot coleslaw mix
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • 3 tablespoons canola mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped habanero or serrano pepper
  • Cooking spray
  • 4 (6-ounce) catfish fillets
  • 4 teaspoons Jamaican jerk seasoning*

Preparation

1. Combine first 6 ingredients in a medium bowl; toss well to coat.

2. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle fish evenly with jerk seasoning. Add fish to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Remove from heat; serve fish with slaw.

*I made up my own jerk mix based on allspice and spicy red pepper – then you can include cloves, cinnamon, scallions, nutmeg, thyme, garlic, salt & pepper

Nutritional Information

  • Amount per serving
  • Calories: 256
  • Fat: 12.6g
  • Saturated fat: 3.1g
  • Monounsaturated fat: 6.5g
  • Polyunsaturated fat: 2.8g
  • Protein: 26.6g
  • Carbohydrate: 6.2g
  • Fiber: 1.5g
  • Cholesterol: 76mg
  • Iron: 0.3mg
  • Sodium: 426mg
  • Calcium: 24mg

 

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Spaghetti with Caramelized Onion and Radicchio+

8 plus points
Yield: 8 servings (serving size: about 1 1/4 cups pasta mixture and 1 1/2 tablespoons cheese)


1 tablespoon olive oil
6 cups thinly sliced yellow onion (about 1 3/4 pounds)
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
6 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 pound uncooked spaghetti (used Pappardelle’s Garden Spinach angel hair pasta)
3 1/2 cups thinly sliced radicchio (about 1 head)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup (3 ounces) crumbled Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

1. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 15 minutes or until almost tender, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook until deep golden (about 20 minutes), stirring occasionally. Add red pepper and garlic. Cook 3 minutes; stir occasionally. Add wine; cook 4 minutes or until liquid evaporates.

2. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain pasta in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Add reserved cooking liquid, pasta, radicchio, parsley, and oregano to onion mixture. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper; toss to combine. Top with cheese.

CALORIES 300 ; FAT 5.8g (sat 2.3g,mono 2.3g,poly 0.7g); CHOLESTEROL 9mg; CALCIUM 160mg; CARBOHYDRATE 49.7g; SODIUM 468mg; PROTEIN 12.1g; FIBER 4.1g; IRON 2.5mg

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Polenta Squares with Gorgonzola and Pine Nuts+

I would use a larger pan for the polenta so that it is more like 1/2 inch thick.  Also, rather than drizzling the reduced vinegar on top, I would let the bottoms of the squares soak in it to give in a nice dark bottom (like the photo in Cooking Light 12/2010 mag.).  The flavor is great, but they look a little “dirty” with the dark vinegar soaking in on top.

Yield: 10 servings (serving size: 3 topped polenta squares)

4 cups water
1 cup quick-cooking polenta
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon butter
Cooking spray
1/4 cup boiling water
3 tablespoons currants
1/3 cup (about 1 1/2 ounces) crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
2/3 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1. Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Gradually add polenta and salt, stirring constantly with a whisk. Reduce heat to low, and cook for 4 minutes or until thick, stirring frequently. Stir in butter. Spoon polenta into a 9-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray, spreading evenly. Press plastic wrap directly onto surface of polenta; chill for 1 hour or until polenta is very firm. Cut into 30 squares.

2. Combine 1/4 cup boiling water and currants in a small bowl. Let stand for 10 minutes or until currants are plump; drain. Combine currants, cheese, pine nuts, and orange rind in a small bowl.

3. Heat vinegar in a small saucepan, and cook over medium-low heat until reduced to 2 tablespoons (about 10 minutes). Cool slightly.

4. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat the pan with cooking spray. Add half of polenta squares to pan, and cook for 6 minutes on each side or until golden. Remove polenta squares from pan, and keep warm. Repeat procedure with the remaining polenta. Top each square with rounded 1/2 teaspoon of cheese mixture, and drizzle with about 1/4 teaspoon balsamic vinegar. Garnish with parsley.


CALORIES 130 ; FAT 4.2g (sat 1.7g,mono 1.1g,poly 1g); CHOLESTEROL 6mg; CALCIUM 33mg; CARBOHYDRATE 19.8g; SODIUM 268mg; PROTEIN 3.1g; FIBER 1.9g; IRON 0.7mg

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Fall Apple Salad

Yield: 4 servings

  • 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1 minced garlic clove
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cups torn butter lettuce
  • 1 c sliced endive
  • 1 c torn radicchio
  • 1 c thinly sliced apple

Combine first 6 ingredients in a bowl (through garlic).  Whisk in oil.  Toss with remaining ingredients.

Calories: 91; Fat 6.9 g

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Beef Filets with Mushroom Sauce and Parmesan Popovers+

 

9 points (includes popover)

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 steak, 1 popover, and 1/3 cup sauce)

Popovers:
1 cup fat-free milk
2 large eggs
4.5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 cup)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Cooking spray
2 tablespoons grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Sauce:
1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
2 cups boiling water
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1/3 cup thinly sliced shallots
4 ounces sliced fresh cremini mushroom caps (about 2 cups)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup pinot noir
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

Beef:
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 (4-ounce) beef tenderloin steaks
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. Combine milk and eggs in a bowl. Weigh or lightly spoon 4.5 ounces flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Add flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt to milk mixture, stirring well; let stand 30 minutes. Place popover tin in oven for 5 minutes. Remove tin from oven; lightly coat popover cups with cooking spray. Spoon 1/4 cup batter into each cup, and sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 400° for 35 minutes or until puffed and golden.

3. Place porcini mushrooms in a bowl, and cover with 2 cups boiling water. Let stand 15 minutes. Drain through a sieve over a bowl, reserving mushrooms and soaking liquid. Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add shallots to pan; sauté 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add cremini mushrooms to pan; sauté for 2 minutes or until almost tender. Add garlic to pan; sauté 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Stir in porcini, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; sauté 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add wine to pan; bring to a boil. Cook until liquid almost evaporates (about 3 minutes). Sprinkle 2 tablespoons flour over mushroom mixture; cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Gradually add the reserved mushroom soaking liquid, stirring constantly; bring to a simmer. Cook 2 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring frequently. Stir in herbs.

4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil. Sprinkle beef with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add beef to pan; sauté 4 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Remove from pan; let stand 10 minutes.


CALORIES 405 ; FAT 19.9g (sat 6.9g,mono 9.1g,poly 1.2g); CHOLESTEROL 146mg; CALCIUM 113mg; CARBOHYDRATE 24.8g; SODIUM 675mg; PROTEIN 29.7g; FIBER 1.5g; IRON 3.6mg

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White Bean Soup with Kale and Chorizo

Be sure to use smoked Spanish chorizo, not raw Mexican chorizo.

 

5 points

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: about 1 1/4 cups)

2 ounces Spanish chorizo sausage, finely chopped
1 cup prechopped onion
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
2 (15-ounce) cans organic cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
4 cups prechopped kale
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Cracked black pepper (optional)

1. Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add chorizo to pan; sauté 1 minute. Add onion and garlic to pan; sauté 5 minutes or until tender.

2. While onions cook, pour broth into a microwave-safe bowl; microwave at HIGH for 3 minutes. Add hot broth and beans to pan; bring to a boil. Partially mash beans with potato masher. Stir in kale and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; cook over medium heat 6 minutes. Sprinkle with cracked pepper, if desired.


CALORIES 235 ; FAT 7.3g (sat 2.1g,mono 3.4g,poly 1.2g); CHOLESTEROL 12mg; CALCIUM 157mg; CARBOHYDRATE 30.7g; SODIUM 586mg; PROTEIN 13.4g; FIBER 7.6g; IRON 3.5mg

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Chicken with Smoked Chanterelles+

? points – changed recipe

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 chicken breast half,  and 3/4 cup mushroom mixture)

I made this on the stove top without smoking the chanterelles.  Original recipe had a scalloped potato side that is too much work and not that good.


2 cups cedar wood chips
6 thyme sprigs
3 rosemary sprigs
1 pound chanterelle mushrooms, sliced lengthwise
1 center-cut bacon slice, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups chopped kale
1/4 cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Prepare grill for indirect grilling, heating one side to high and leaving one side with no heat. Pierce bottom of a disposable aluminum foil pan several times. Place pan on heated side of grill; add wood chips, thyme sprigs, and rosemary sprigs to pan. When chips are smoking, place another foil pan (do not pierce) on unheated side of grill; add mushrooms. Cover and smoke 20 minutes.

Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan. Increase heat to medium-high. Heat butter in drippings in pan. Add mushrooms to pan; sauté 3 minutes or until tender. Add kale and next 3 ingredients (through 1/8 teaspoon pepper); cook until kale is tender and liquid almost evaporates, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with bacon.

Preheat grill to high heat.

Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Place chicken on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 5 minutes on each side or until done. Serve with potatoes and mushroom mixture.


CALORIES 521 ; FAT 15.5g (sat 8.4g,mono 3.6g,poly 1g); CHOLESTEROL 140mg; CALCIUM 390mg; CARBOHYDRATE 34.7g; SODIUM 856mg; PROTEIN 58.2g; FIBER 2.7g; IRON 3.5mg

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Spinach and Parmesan Fallen Soufflé

Cooking spray
2  tablespoons dry breadcrumbs
2  garlic cloves, minced
10  ounce fresh spinach
1  cup 1% low-fat milk
1  tablespoon cornstarch
1/3  cup (about 1 1/2 ounces) grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1/4  teaspoon salt
1/8  teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8  teaspoon grated whole nutmeg
3  large egg whites
1  large egg

Preheat oven to 375°.

Lightly coat an 11 x 7-inch baking dish with cooking spray, and dust with breadcrumbs. Set aside.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add garlic; cook 20 seconds, stirring constantly. Add spinach; cook 3 minutes or until spinach wilts, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Place spinach mixture on several layers of heavy-duty paper towels, and squeeze until barely moist. Place spinach mixture in a blender. Add milk and cornstarch; process until smooth. Add cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg; pulse until well blended. Pour into a large bowl.

Place egg whites and egg in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed 5 minutes or until tripled in volume. Gently fold one-fourth of egg mixture into spinach mixture; gently fold in remaining egg mixture (mixture will seem slightly thin). Spoon spinach-egg mixture into prepared baking dish; smooth top with a spatula.

Bake at 375° for 35 minutes or until set in the center. Cool 5 minutes on a wire rack before serving.

Yield: 6 servings

NUTRITION PER SERVING
CALORIES 92(34% from fat); FAT 3.5g (sat 1.8g,mono 1g,poly 0.3g); PROTEIN 8.5g; CHOLESTEROL 42mg; CALCIUM 193mg; SODIUM 326mg; FIBER 1.2g; IRON 1.7mg; CARBOHYDRATE 7.3g