Cornbread Stuffed Pork Chops

brine:
1 cup each salt and brown sugar
tbsp black pepper corns
tbsp mustard powder
dissolve in 2 cups hot apple cider vinegar
2 cups water
add pork chops in fridge for 2 hours

stuffing:
1 1/2 cups cornbread, crumbled fine
1/4 cups dried cherries, halved
2 tbs golden raisins
1/4 cups walnuts
2 tbsp fresh sage, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 cup buttermilk
mix and insert into the chops... don't overfill

cooking:
Sear the chops on HIGH heat on a propane grill for 2 mins, quarter turn and sear for another 2 mins. Flip for 2 more mins, quarter turn and grill for another 2 mins. About 140 degrees should be about medium once it rests.

Move to high rack and turn heat down and cook for another 2 mins for well done pork.

Recipe from "Good Eats with Alton Brown" on the Food Network

Pasta with Asparagus, Lemon & Prosciutto

Ingredients
1 (9-ounce) package fresh fettuccine
2 teaspoons olive oil
5 cups (1-inch) slices asparagus (about 1 1/2 pounds)
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 ounces very thin slices prosciutto, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup (3 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Preparation
Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat.

While pasta cooks, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add asparagus and next 4 ingredients (asparagus through salt). Cover and cook 5 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in prosciutto; cook, uncovered, for 1 minute. Combine asparagus mixture, pasta, and cheese in a large bowl, tossing to coat.

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

Lisë Stern , Cooking Light, APRIL 2004

Sauteed Pork Chops Nicoise

Ingredients
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
Cooking spray
4 (4-ounce) boneless center-cut loin pork chops (about 1/2 inch thick)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
3 tablespoons dry white wine
4 teaspoons chopped pitted niçoise olives
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Preparation
Heat vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper. Place flour in a shallow bowl. Dredge pork in flour, turning to coat; shake off excess flour. Add pork to pan; cook 3 1/2 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove pork from pan. Add garlic to pan; sauté 10 seconds. Add wine, olives, and tomatoes; cook 2 minutes. Return pork to pan; cook 1 minute. Sprinkle with parsley.

Yield
4 servings (serving size: 1 pork chop and about 1/4 cup sauce)

Robin Webb , Cooking Light, JANUARY 2004

Spiced Shrimp with Avocado Oil

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 tablespoons avocado oil, divided
Lime wedges

Preparation
Sprinkle shrimp with sugar and salt. Combine chili powder, cumin, coriander, and oregano. Lightly coat shrimp with spice mixture.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon oil and half of shrimp; sauté 4 minutes or until done. Remove from pan. Repeat procedure with 1 teaspoon oil and remaining shrimp. Place shrimp on a platter; drizzle remaining 2 1/2 teaspoons oil over shrimp. Serve with lime wedges.

Yield
5 servings (serving size: about 4 ounces shrimp)

Maureen Callahan , Cooking Light, MAY 2004

Slow Cooker Beef Pot Roast with Gremolata

Ingredients
Pot roast:
1 (2 1/2-pound) boneless cross-rib chuck roast, trimmed
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon olive oil
Cooking spray
2 cups chopped onion (about 1 large)
1 cup fat-free, less-sodium beef broth
3/4 cup dry red wine
1/4 cup chopped drained oil-packed sun-dried tomato halves
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
4 thyme sprigs
4 garlic cloves, crushed
2 bay leaves
3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

Gremolata:
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 garlic clove, minced

Preparation
To prepare pot roast, sprinkle roast evenly with salt and black pepper. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add roast to pan; cook 5 minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Transfer roast to an electric slow cooker. Recoat pan with cooking spray. Add onion to pan; sauté 8 minutes or until tender. Add broth and next 6 ingredients (through bay leaves) to pan; bring to a simmer. Add broth mixture to slow cooker. Arrange carrots and potatoes around roast in slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH 2 hours. Reduce heat to low; cook 4 hours. Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs from slow cooker; discard. Remove roast from slow cooker; shred with 2 forks.

To prepare gremolata, combine parsley and remaining ingredients in a small bowl, stirring well. Serve with roast and vegetable mixture.

Yield
10 servings (serving size: 3 ounces meat, about 3/4 cup vegetable mixture, and about 1 teaspoon gremolata)

Jeanne Thiel Kelley , Cooking Light, OCTOBER 2006

Yukon Gold Potatoes with Gorgonzola & Pancetta

You can't go wrong with gorgonzola and pancetta!

Ingredients
6 large Yukon gold potatoes (about 3 pounds)
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
1/4 cup (1 ounce) crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
3 ounces pancetta, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons finely chopped chives

Preparation
Preheat oven to 375°.

Pierce potatoes with a fork, and bake at 375° for 1 hour or until tender. Cool potatoes slightly.

Combine sour cream and cheese in a small bowl; partially mash with a fork.

Heat a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add diced pancetta; cook 2 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute.

Split the potatoes lengthwise, cutting to, but not through, other side. Spoon 2 tablespoons cheese mixture into each potato. Top each serving with 4 teaspoons pancetta mixture and 1 1/2 teaspoons chives.

Yield
6 servings (serving size: 1 stuffed potato)

Lorrie Hulston Corvin , Cooking Light, OCTOBER 2006

Baked Sweet Potatoes with West African-Style Peanut Sauce

Ingredients
6 medium sweet potatoes (about 3 pounds)
1 teaspoon canola oil
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation
Preheat oven to 375°.

Pierce potatoes with a fork, and bake at 375° for 1 hour or until tender. Cool potatoes slightly.

Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion, ginger, and garlic; cook 3 minutes. Add cumin, coriander, and pepper; cook 1 minute. Add 3/4 cup water and next 4 ingredients (through salt), stirring until smooth; bring to a simmer. Cook 2 minutes or until thick.

Split potatoes lengthwise, cutting to, but not through, other side. Spoon about 1/4 cup sauce into each potato. Top each serving with 1 teaspoon cilantro.

Yield
6 servings (serving size: 1 stuffed potato)

Lorrie Hulston Corvin , Cooking Light, OCTOBER 2006

Five-Spice Chicken Breasts with Hoisin Glaze

Ingredients
3 1/2 cups water
1/3 cup kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons five-spice powder
4 (6-ounce) boneless chicken breast halves
1 cup ice
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons dark sesame oil
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder
Cooking spray

Preparation
Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring until salt and sugar dissolve. Stir in 2 tablespoons five-spice powder. Pour salt mixture into a large zip-top plastic bag. Rinse chicken with cold water. Add chicken and ice to bag; seal. Refrigerate 2 hours, turning bag occasionally. Remove chicken from bag; discard brine. Pat chicken dry with paper towels.

Combine hoisin sauce and next 5 ingredients (hoisin sauce through 1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder).

Prepare the grill for indirect grilling, heating one side to medium and leaving one side with no heat.

Place chicken, skin side down, on grill rack coated with cooking spray over medium heat side. Close lid; grill chicken 8 minutes on each side, brushing occasionally with hoisin sauce mixture. Place chicken, skin side up, on unheated side; brush with hoisin sauce mixture. Grill an additional 5 minutes or until done. Discard skin; serve immediately.

Yield
4 servings (serving size: 1 chicken breast half)

Bruce Aidells , Cooking Light, JUNE 2004

Tofu Marsala & Garden Brown Sauce

Ingredients
2 cups Garden Brown Sauce (see below)
1/2 cup sweet Marsala, divided
2 (12.3-ounce) packages extra-firm tofu, drained
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup minced green onions
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
4 cups hot cooked linguine (about 8 ounces uncooked pasta)
Chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Preparation
Combine Garden Brown Sauce and 1/4 cup Marsala in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; keep warm.

Slice tofu lengthwise into 8 (1/2-inch-thick) steaks. Dredge in flour. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of tofu; sauté 2 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove from pan; keep warm. Repeat procedure with 1 teaspoon oil and remaining tofu. Stir in 1/4 cup Marsala and juice, scraping pan to loosen brown bits. Stir in brown sauce mixture, onions, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Arrange 1 cup pasta on each of 4 plates; top each with 2 tofu steaks and 1/2 cup sauce. Garnish with additional parsley, if desired.

Yield
4 servings

Cooking Light, OCTOBER 1998

Garden Brown Sauce

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped carrot
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup sliced mushrooms
4 garlic cloves, halved
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup dry red wine
6 cups water
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons black peppercorns
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 bay leaves

Preparation
Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and carrot; sauté 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Add celery, mushrooms, and garlic; cook 10 minutes. Add paste; sauté 10 minutes or until browned. Add flour; cook 1 minute. Stir in wine, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Add water and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 45 minutes. Strain the mixture through a sieve into a bowl, reserving stock. Discard solids. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Yield
4 cups (serving size: 1 cup)

Cooking Light, OCTOBER 1998

Sweet Hot Tofu

Ingredients
1 (3 1/2-ounce) bag boil-in-bag long-grain rice
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 (14-ounce) package firm reduced-fat tofu, cut into (1-inch) cubes
2/3 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon sherry
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon dark sesame oil
Dash of crushed red pepper
2 teaspoons bottled minced fresh ginger
2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions

Preparation
Prepare rice according to package directions, omitting salt and fat.

Heat canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu, and sauté 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from skillet.

Combine broth and the next 7 ingredients (through pepper), stirring well with a whisk.

Add ginger, garlic, and onions to pan; sauté 30 seconds. Stir in broth mixture; cook 1 minute or until thickened, stirring constantly. Add tofu to pan; cook 30 seconds, stirring gently to coat. Divide rice evenly among each of 4 plates; top each serving with tofu mixture.

Yield
4 servings (serving size: about 1/2 cup rice and about 1/2 cup tofu mixture)

Cooking Light, MARCH 2005

Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients
1 (1-pound) top round steak (1 inch thick), trimmed
1 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried dill
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 (8-ounce) package sliced mushrooms (about 2 cups)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup beef broth
1 (8-ounce) container low-fat sour cream
2 cups hot cooked medium egg noodles (about 4 ounces uncooked)

Preparation
1. Cut steak diagonally across grain into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Place steak and next 8 ingredients (though garlic) in a 3-quart electric slow cooker; stir well.

2. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Place flour in a small bowl; gradually add broth, stirring with a whisk until blended. Add broth mixture to slow cooker; stir well. Cover with lid; cook on high-heat setting 1 hour. Reduce to low-heat setting, and cook 7 to 8 hours or until steak is tender. Turn slow cooker off; remove lid. Let stroganoff stand 10 minutes. Stir in sour cream. Serve stroganoff over noodles.

Yield
4 servings (serving size: about 1 cup stroganoff and 1/2 cup noodles

Cooking Light, OCTOBER 2004

Roasted Chicken with Asiago Polenta & Truffled Mushrooms

Doesn't this sound fabulous? Again, I haven't tried it--yet.

Ingredients
Chicken:
1 (5-pound) roasting chicken
1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme
2 teaspoons fresh orange juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 orange, halved
6 garlic cloves, peeled
2 thyme sprigs
1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth, divided
Cooking spray
1/2 cup white wine
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour

Mushrooms:
2 teaspoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces mixed wild mushrooms, sliced (about 8 cups)
1 (8-ounce) package presliced mushrooms
2 teaspoons truffle oil

Polenta:
2 cups fat-free milk
3/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup instant dry polenta
1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated Asiago cheese

Preparation
Preheat oven to 325°.

To prepare chicken, remove and discard giblets and neck from chicken. Rinse chicken under cold water; pat dry. Trim excess fat. Starting at neck cavity, loosen skin from breast and drumsticks by inserting fingers, gently pushing between skin and meat. Combine thyme, orange juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and garlic; rub over breast and drumsticks under loosened skin. Place orange halves in body cavity. Lift wing tips up and over back; tuck under chicken.

Combine 6 garlic cloves, 2 thyme sprigs, and 1 cup of broth in a shallow roasting pan. Place chicken on a rack coated with cooking spray; place rack in pan. Insert meat thermometer into the meaty part of thigh, making sure not to touch bone.

Bake at 325° for 2 hours or until thermometer registers 180°. Let stand 10 minutes. Discard skin. Place chicken on a platter, reserving drippings in pan; cover chicken and keep warm. Add wine to drippings in pan, scraping pan to loosen browned bits; discard thyme sprigs.

Place flour in a small saucepan; gradually add remaining broth, stirring with a whisk until blended. Set aside. Place a zip-top plastic bag inside a 2-cup glass measure. Pour pan drippings into bag; let stand 10 minutes (fat will rise to the top). Seal bag; carefully snip off 1 bottom corner of bag. Drain drippings into flour mixture in saucepan, stopping before fat layer reaches opening; discard fat. Bring mixture to a boil, and cook 1 minute or until thick, stirring constantly with a whisk. Keep warm.

To prepare mushrooms, melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and mushrooms; cook 5 minutes or until the mushrooms release moisture and darken, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in truffle oil.

To prepare polenta, combine milk, water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Gradually add polenta, stirring constantly with a whisk; reduce heat, and cook 2 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and stir in cheese. Serve with chicken, gravy, and mushrooms.

Yield
6 servings (serving size: about 6 ounces chicken, 2 1/2 tablespoons gravy, 1/2 cup polenta, and 1/2 cup mushrooms)

Cooking Light, DECEMBER 2004

Chianti-Stained Risotto with Pears & Blue Cheese

I have not made this recipe yet, but I really want to. Or, you could make it and have me over for dinner!

Ingredients
1 cup pear nectar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 (14-ounce) cans fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/4 cup chopped shallots
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
1/2 cup Chianti or other dry red wine
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon butter
2 firm Bosc pears, peeled, cored, and cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled blue cheese
1/3 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Preparation
Bring first 3 ingredients to a simmer in a medium saucepan (do not boil). Keep warm over low heat.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallots, thyme, and garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Add rice; cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in wine; cook 2 minutes or until liquid is nearly absorbed, stirring constantly. Add broth mixture, 3/4 cup at a time, stirring constantly until each portion of broth is absorbed before adding the next (about 30 minutes total). Stir in salt and pepper.

Heat remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add pears; sauté 4 minutes. Serve pears over risotto; sprinkle with cheese, nuts, and parsley.
Yield

10 servings (serving size: about 1/2 cup risotto, about 1/4 cup pears, about 1 tablespoon cheese, 1 1/2 teaspoons nuts, and about 1/2 teaspoon parsley))

Cooking Light, DECEMBER 2004

Red Snapper over Sauteed Spinach & Tomatoes

Ingredients
3 tablespoons country-style Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons reduced-fat Italian dressing
4 (6-ounce) red snapper fillets
Cooking spray
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 (10-ounce) package fresh spinach (about 10 cups)
1 cup chopped red or yellow tomato
4 lemon wedges

Preparation
Preheat broiler.

Combine mustard and dressing, stirring with a whisk.

Arrange fish, skin side down, on a foil-lined baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Brush half of mustard mixture over fish. Broil fish 8 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.

While fish cooks, combine onion and remaining mustard mixture in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cover and cook 2 minutes. Add half of spinach; cover and cook 1 minute or until spinach wilts. Add remaining spinach and tomato; cover and cook 1 minute or until spinach wilts. Stir well to combine. Serve fish over spinach mixture; serve with lemon wedges.
Yield

4 servings (serving size: 1 fish fillet, about 3/4 cup spinach mixture, and 1 lemon wedge)

Cooking Light, DECEMBER 2004