Weekly Recipe: Stuffed Porked Chops
May 25th, 2013
Creating a hearty, healthy, low-calorie meals without sacrificing any of the flavor can be a tough task sometimes but isn't impossible. Summer is coming and along with it comes time to use that grill sitting outside. This recipe will keep your chops moist despite the flame's effort to dry them out.
What you will need...
4 boneless pork chops (about 6 oz each and no less than 3/4-inch thick)
Salt and pepper as needed
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup crumbled goat, feta, or blue cheese
1/4 cup walnuts
1 tsp fennel seeds, roughly minced
How to make it...
Preheat your grill over medium heat. While your grill is preheating, cut a pocket in the side of each chop, making it as deep as possible without puncturing the other end of the meat and stretch out the pocket to create a bit of space. Season the chop all over with salt and pepper.
Combine the goat cheese, walnuts, cranberries and fennel seeds in a mixing bowl and stuff the mixture into the pocket you created in the pork chops as full as possible and secure the entire chop with a toothpick.
Place the chops on the grill, close the lid and grill only turning once for a total of about 15 minutes. The Chops will be done when browned and cooled all the way through.
Summer is coming, and as we transition from bold, soul-warming flavors that coincide with winter, it is time to drink something a little bit more fresh and light for the spring/summer. Cucumbers tastes are refreshing and healthy and this coctail has a clean and bright appearance. The cooling flavor is perfect for the hot days.
What you will need...
Cucumber slices
1.25 oz cucumber puree (made from cucumber slices)
1.5 oz Hendrick's Gin
0.5 oz fresh lime juice
0.5 oz simple syrup
How to make it...
Peel an English cucumber and cut it into large chunks then add the cucumber into a blender with a bit of water. Puree until smooth and refigerate for up to 4 days.
Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Shake and pour into a rock glass with ice. Garnish with the cucumber slice.
Like a little spicy? Try adding a few slices of fresh jalapeno into your glass to up the heat.
Food For Thought
Almonds
This energy rich nut is packed with amino acids, which bolster testosterone levels and muscle growth and is low cholesterol. It also contains Vitamin E, which helps defend against sun damage. Almonds also fill the other dietary values like magnesium, calcium mineral, and phosphorus.
Tilapia
Adding fish to your weekly diet promotes a healthy heart and adds variet to your diet. Tilapia is rich in protein, with nearly 23 g in 4 oz., also containing 11.3 percent of the daily value for calcium (based on a 2,000 calorie diet). Try it grilled.
Blueberries
Nick named the "brain berry", blueberries are high in fiber and vitamins A and C, blueberries help prevent age related memory changes, cancer and diabetes as well as boosting cardiovascular health. Studies have also shown that blueberries decrease recovery time when suffered in an injury for those who intake them vs those who do not.
Oats
Don't cut out all carbs, just the complex ones, your body still needs them to function properly. Oats are high-quality starches that are ideal for breakfast because they do not contain sugars, and will spike your insulin levels and keep you from slowing down.
Almond Milk
Only 60 calories per each 8 oz serving size, almond milk is a great tasting drink for those focused on weight management. Almond milk contains as much Vitamin D and calcium as your normal dairy milk but is also packed with potassium, manganese, magnesium, vitamin E, copper and selenium. Also, almond milk works as a great alternative for those with soy and lactose allergies.
Asparagus
Packed with Vitamin A, dietary fibre, and folic Acid, Asparagus is considered a big role in fighting cancer. Asparagus is also good for controling blood pressure with its high levels of potassium. Containing just four calories and is also very low in fat so it is great for weight loss.
To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.