Pork Stir-Fry [Low-Calorie]

PORK STIR-FRY

with CARROTS & SNOW PEAS

(low-calorie: about 350 per serving)

8 oz pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips
3 Tblsp low-sodium soy sauce, divided
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup dry sherry
1 Tblsp cornstarch
1 Tblsp honey
1 Tblsp tomato paste
1 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp ground ginger
Pinch of black pepper
2 tsp canola oil, divided
1 Tblsp minced garlic
1 Tblsp minced fresh ginger
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen snow peas or green beans
1 cup carrot strips
2 Tblsp sliced scallions
2 tsp black and/or white sesame seeds

• Combine pork strips and 1 Tblsp soy sauce. Cover and refrigerate while preparing sauce.
• Stir together remaining 2 Tblsp soy sauce, broth, sherry, cornstarch, honey, tomato paste, 1 tsp garlic, ground ginger, and pepper.
• Preheat a wok over medium-high heat. Hold wok away from stove, spray wok with nonstick cooking spray. Return wok to stove top.
• Heat 1 tsp oil in wok. Stir-fry half of the pork until it's cooked through, 2-3 minutes. Remove pork to a plate. Stir-fry remaining pork; remove to plate.
• Add remaining 1 tsp oil to wok. Add 1 Tblsp garlic and fresh ginger; stir-fry 10-15 seconds. Add snow peas; stir-fry 2 minutes. Return pork to wok; add sauce. Cook until sauce thickens, 1-2 minutes. Add carrots; heat and stir 1 minute.
• Serve stir-fry over white or brown rice; garnish with scallions. Sprinkle each serving with sesame seeds.

recipe directly from CuisineLite magazine, Spring 2013 edition

Wordless Wednesday {w/linky}

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

This past weekend was the Annual "Father-Daughter Dance" here on post. My daughter looks forward to this all year around!

My loves!

Walkin her to the car--such a gentleman! 

Reminds me of this:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~Please follow Cookin' for my Captain via GFC, FaceBook or Networks Blog!

~Leave a comment if you're a new follower, so I can return the follow!
~Grab the WW button if you want to...

...and add your "Wordless Wednesdays" up below!

Balsamic Steak with Fruit & Gorgonzola

BALSAMIC STEAK

with FRUIT & GORGONZOLA

(low calorie: about 222 per serving)

1-1/2 lb beef tenderloin, trimmed and cut into six 4-oz filets [or use a pre-cut lean beef steak]
1 tsp each kosher salt and black pepper
1 Tblsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup balsamic vinegar
2 Tblso strawberry jam
1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
6 Tblsp Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
2 Tblsp fresh basil, minced

• Season filets with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in a saute pan over medium-high. Add filets; sear 2-3 minutes per side for medium. Transfer filets to plate; tent with foil.
• Add vinegar to the pan; cook until liquid is reduced by half, 5 minutes. Whisk in jam; stir to dissolve.
• Serve steaks with balsamic sauce, strawberries, and Gorgonzola; garnish with basil.

recipe directly from CuisineLite, Spring 2013 edition

Coq au Vin [slow-cooker]

EASY COQ AU VIN 

[slow-cooker recipe]

(low-calorie: about 326 per serving)

1 8-oz package mushrooms, halved
4 medium carrots, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1-1/2 cups frozen pearl onions [or 1 white onion, cut into big chunks]
Non-stick cooking spray
5 to 6 large cooking thighs, skin removed
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 cup dry red wine [or red cooking wine]
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 Tblsp tapioca
2 Tblsp red wine vinegar
1-1/2 tsp herbes de Provence
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tblsp fresh parsley, chopped
4 cups hot cooked whole grain wide noodles

• In a 4-5qt slow cooker, combine mushrooms, carrots, and onions. Set aside.
• Lightly coat a large non-stick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat. Sprinkle both sides of chicken thighs with 1/4 tsp of the salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Add chicken thighs to skillet, meaty sides down. Cook about 6 minutes or until brown, turning once. Add chicken to cooker.
• Add wine to skillet; bring to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer for 2 minutes, using a wooden spoon to scrape up brown bits from bottom and sides of skillet. Remove from heat. Stir in broth, tapioca, vinegar, herbes de Provence, garlic, the remaining 1/4 tsp salt and pepper. Pour over chicken in cooker.
• Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 5 to 5-1/2 hours or on high-heat setting for 2-1/2 to 2-3/4 hours. [I recommend the high-heat setting. The carrots will still have a little bit of a bite to them still!]
• Sprinkle with parsley; serve with noodles.

recipe from Better Homes and Gardens "Skinny Slow Cooker" magazine, 2013

The Perfect Salad

I've been on a really big "Salad Kick" lately, and have found the perfect way to create a delish salad that can be changed and has a huge variety of choices. Its much better than the bland old lettuce with bottled dressing with preserves and unwanted ingredients.

Start with the basics. From there, learn your favorite combinations. After the image, I've listed my favorite combinations that I make the most.

My favorite:

• Olive Oil + Apple Cider Vinegar + Dijon + Honey + Salt + Strawberries + Feta Cheese
• Clementine Olive Oil + White Wine Vinegar + Dijon + Honey + Salt + Oranges + Blue Cheese
• Olive Oil + Red Wine Vinegar + Dijon + Honey + Salt + Apples + Gorgonzola Cheese

Get creative! And remember, Feta cheese goes with everything! Its my favorite cheese, but don't forget to try Asiago Cheese, Gorgonzola, Blue Cheese, and even Goat Cheese (with honey).

You can also find many flavors of Olive Oil and Vinegars. "O Olive Oil Company" has some amazing choices, but many brands have infused Oils and such.

Always taste-test your dressing before tossing with the salad, and adjust ingredients to you liking!

Please Pin It on Pinterest to share this around! It would be greatly appreciated! =)
 

FBF: "Green" Containers/ Jello Shots

FLASH-BACK FRIDAY

"GREEN" CONTAINERS & JELL-O SHOTS

click on image to see full post from 2/20/12

Greek Lamb and Feta Lasagna

GREEK LAMB AND FETA LASAGNA

(low calorie! about 321 per serving)

2 tsp olive oil
1-1/2 cups onion, chopped
1-1/2 Tblsp garlic, minced
1 Tblsp fresh rosemary, chopped
9 ounces lean ground lamb
9 ounces ground pork [or lean ground beef]
1-1/4 cups unsalted chicken stock
3/4 tsp kosher salt
3/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 (28oz) can crushed tomatoes, undrained
1 (14oz) can crushed tomatoes, undrained
1-1/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 tsp grated lemon rind
9 no-boil lasagna noodles
Cooking spray
3 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (about 3/4 cup)
3 Tblsp fresh rosemary, chopped

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion and next 4 ingredients (through pork); cook 14 minutes or until lamb and beef are browned, stirring to crumble. 
• Add stock to pan; cook 3 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper, and tomatoes. Bring to boil; reduce heat, and simmer 4 minutes, scraping pan to loosen browned bits.
• Combine ricotta and rind in small bowl. Spread 1 tablespoon ricotta mixture over one side of each lasagna noodle.
• Spread 2 cups tomato mixture in bottom of an 11x7-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 3 lasagna noodles, ricotta side up, over tomato mixture; top with 2 cups tomato mixture. Repeat layers twice, ending with 2 cups tomato mixture. Sprinkle evenly with feta cheese. 
• Cover with foil; bake for 40 minutes. 
• Remove foil; let stand 10 minutes. 
• Sprinkle with rosemary.

recipe directly from CookingLight magazine, Marsh 2013 edition