This recipe I can't take any credit for. My sister was visiting and decided she wanted to make dinner for us. She put this in the crockpot before we headed to work and when we got home this is what we had. A-ma-zing. And SO easy.
1 frozen pork center cut loin fillet (you can get regular or flavored, whatever you like)
2 regular sized jars or 1 large jar salsa (we usually use a sweet salsa, something with mango, peach, etc...we've also tried one sweet and one medium, which is great, too)
1 bag instant microwave rice (usually I don't make rice this way, I go for the "real" thing, but Target has great rice-in-a-bag that can be heated in 90 seconds, and varieties include brown rice and wild rice, so the health factor is still there)
In the morning, place your frozen pork and your jars of salsa into the crock pot. Set on high if you will be gone 4-5 hours or low if you will be gone longer. Head to work/school/shopping/working around the house or whatever else you are doing that won't require you to be in the kitchen cooking. Everytime we have made this it has been very obvious it was done, with the pork completely falling apart as we stirred. If you're not sure, use your meat thermometer to make sure the pork is cooked. Cook your rice according to the package, and mix into your pork and salsa mixture. THAT'S IT!
You may be thinking that mango salsa and pork sounds weird. It is delicious, trust me! If you aren't sure how you will like the flavors together, try one sweet and one medium or mild salsa. The mix of the sweet and the savory is delish. For real. This has got to be the simplest meal I've ever made, and it really is tasty. It's so nice to know that you can still have a healthy, hot, homemade meal even on days where you are too busy to take a breath.
Turkey Burgers (Original post here!)
Approx. 1 lb lean ground turkey
Greek seasoning-to taste
1 green pepper
1 onion
2 egg whites
1/4 c. bread crumbs (we use Italian Seasoned)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp parsley
1 tsp (or more, if you like) chopped garlic
Cheese (optional)
Start by thawing out the turkey if it's frozen. Cut up the onion and green pepper. Season with Greek seasoning, or whatever seasoning you like. Grill until fork tender, then mince. While the veggies are grilling, combine the bread crumbs, diced onion, egg whites, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika and parsley in a bowl. Add the turkey and the grilled veggies. Mix with hands just until combined. Form patties, leaving an indentation in the middle for even cooking. Grill until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Add cheese (optional) toward the end of grilling. Assemble your burger with your choice of toppings and condiments. Enjoy!
Here are my Momma's famous (and DELISH) Deviled Eggs. Check out the original post with pictures here!
Deviled Eggs:
12 large hardboiled eggs
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 cup grated celery. I use a paper towel to "wring" them out so most of the moisture is out of the celery. If you don't do this your mix may be too watery
6 Tbs mayo (use the full-fat version...it isn't that much and it adds flavor)
1 Tbs grated onion
1 clove garlic. I use the minced garlic from the jar and use a pretty big spoonful, because I LOVE garlic. Put as much as you like in
2 Tbs minced sweet/mild banana peppers
A couple of dashes of Sriracha (I usually put more in, but it really depends on how spicy you want it...taste test as you go)
A couple dashes of lemon juice
A couple dashes of apple cider vinegar
A couple dashes of yellow mustard
Cayenne pepper
Smoked Paprika
Peel the eggs. Cut them in half and remove yolks. Mash yolks. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well. Pile into the cavities of the egg whites. Sprinkle with cayenne pepper and smoked paprika. Enjoy!
Healthy Spicy Turkey Meatball Subs (Original post here.)
Approx 1 lb lean ground turkey
1/4 c. bread crumbs (I use Italian style)
1-2 Tbs grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (get the block of the real stuff, it is SO worth it!)
Oregano to taste (about 1-2 tsp)
Basil to taste (about 1-2 tsp)
Cayenne Pepper to taste (about 1-2 tsp depending on how spicy you want it)
Garlic Powder (optional)
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1-2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes, depending on how spicy you want it
1 clove chopped fresh garlic
1/2 of an onion, finely chopped
2 egg yolks
1 large jar Marinara Sauce
Hoagie rolls or buns of your choice (I use Target brand whole wheat hot dog buns and they taste yummy)
Mix together turkey meat, spices, cheese, egg, bread crumbs, onion and garlic just until combined.
Form meat into meatballs. Do whatever size you like, just adjust the cooking time if they are a bit smaller.
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
Add meatballs and let brown, about 1-2 minutes each side.
Cook meatballs for about 10 minutes, turning down heat if necessary.
Add marinara sauce (I turn the heat way down before adding for two reasons, so the sauce doesn't splatter and so it doesn't burn).
Make sure the sauce is covering the meatballs.
Cook, covered, for another 10 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meat is 165 degrees.
Toast your rolls if you like.
Add 2-3 meatballs per roll.
Spoon some extra sauce on top.
Grate some Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese on top.
Enjoy! Yum Yum Yum...
Ricotta and Spinach Stuffed Pork Tenderloin (original post here.)
1 pork tenderloin (I think the ones I buy are just over 1 lb)
1/2 onion, diced
1 clove fresh garlic, grated
1 cup fresh spinach leaves
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Start but butterflying your tenderloin. If you're not sure how to do it, look here. Dice your onion, and add to a mixing bowl with your cheeses, garlic, salt and pepper. Mix it up. Spoon into the tenderloin, pressing down slightly so it gets in the crevices. Lay the spinach leaves on top. Roll up the tenderloin. Bind it closed (we used bamboo skewers that we cut). Brush some olive oil on the outside of the tenderloin. Toss on the grill, medium-high heat, for about 10-15 minutes or until the thickest part is no longer pink on the inside. Pair with your favorite veggies.
There are about a million different ways you could adapt this recipe, adding and taking away as you like. I plan to try several different ways to do this, but for my first attempt, it wasn't too bad.
Enjoy!
