When I was growing up, pork chops were a regular feature on our dinner menu. Unfortunately, my mom doesn’t like food. And she doesn’t really like to cook. Those poor pork chops were flavorless and burned to a crisp each and every time. It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that as an adult I avoided pork in all forms for years. The ads talking about the relative health benefits of pork intrigued me as I grew older and realized how little the food my mom cooked resembled what it was supposed too.
Pork is lower in saturated fat than it was twenty-one years ago. It’s naturally low in sodium – something those with heart problems have to watch out for in their diets. Pork tenderloin, in particular, is an excellent source of protein, thiamin, vitamin B6, phosphorous, and niacin, according to the USDA database. Knowing that my mom has heart issues and is now on a reduced-sodium diet, and that my gram and so many others have struggled with their health as they grew older, I decided that it was time for me to grow up and get over my notions of the hockey puck pork chop my mom used to serve.
 This year, the Pork Association is participating in the ninth annual Women’s Day Red Dress Awards in celebration of having the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check icon added to its labels. When I was approached to receive a kit of goodies from the Pork and American Heart Association, I jumped on it to prove to myself that there’s more to pork than my mom showed me growing up. I’ve made pork tenderloin in my crock pot that came out wonderfully juicy and flavorful, which gave me hope that I can create delicious and healthy pork meals with just a little more of a push. And I was right. The American Heart Association cookbook that was included in the kit had a number of delicious pork recipes in it. It was hard to choose just one to start, but I went with the Pork with Salsa Verde, something that met a number of my needs last night.
First, it was cooked in a crock pot, saving me a ton of time. Second, it had primarily ingredients I keep in my pantry – I had to purchase only the pork and the tomatillos. Third, it was something I had hopes that Mister Man would enjoy. Fourth, it looked healthy to me – something to cook from scratch that didn’t have heavy sauces or ingredients with tons of calories and fat.
As it turns out, this is not the pork my mom used to make. While you still have to be careful not to overcook pork or it will become tough, I had no issues with this in the crock pot. The pork was easy to prepare, and it cooked beautifully, making a tasty but not too spicy sauce to accompany it. Mister Man, my child who insists everything is too spicy, loved it. He ate all of his and almost half of mine. And he ate the tomatillos because they were yummy, too. I love having meals that everyone in the house enjoys, and my husband loved that he could use the extra salsa verde as a dip for some tortilla chips. The true proof, however, was when the wee ones begged to have some of the leftovers in their lunch today. They were crushed when I told them it was all gone and only promising to make it again soon brought the smiles back to their faces.
Now my dilemma is which recipe to make next. Do I do a new pork recipe to try something else, or do I stick with what is apparently becoming a new family favorite? Either way, I know there’s pork on the menu again this week – and I feel good about it knowing that pork now contains the American Heart Association’s iconic Heart-Check mark. It’s a perfect way to celebrate the end of national Heart Health month, but one of you can continue to celebrate with the same kit of goodies I received.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received a kit of goodies as described above. I was also compensated to write this post. That said, all opinions expressed remain my own.
Written by 5Minutes4Mom contributor Michelle, who is thrilled to report that Mister Man ate – and loved – cumin for the first time in his life. She’s now searching for more heart healthy recipes that contain spices he might find palatable. Some of those recipes may appear in the future on her blog Honest & Truly! You can also see what she’s cooking up by following her on Twitter where she tweets as @HonestAndTruly.
Awesome cooking!
Thanks for the great contest!
bahjeep@aol.com
My favorite is using pork with lima or butter beans!
We love pork cutlets with an orange sauce. OMG, it’s so good!
michedt at yahoo dot com
pork and sauerkraut.
Pulled pork Southern style
sewingmema1720@yahoo.com
gotta be bbq ribs or pulled pork sandwiches
I love making butter and garlic grilled pork tenderloin.
i grill mine and put on a mixture of apricot jelly and mustard
I love making stuffed pork chops using the cranberry, raisin and orange stuffing my grandmother passed down to me.
lauraemerson17 at yahoo dot com
Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder mmmmm…
We love Citrus Pork Chops:
http://www.food.com/recipe/citrus-marinated-pork-chops-oamc-120517
My fave is pork chops with stuffing, (yum)
i love pork chops bakes with shake and bake
i use stove top stuffing and apples then bake it
Love Pork Carnitas made in the crock pot with a bottle of beer and some salsa!
I like to put a pork loin roast in the roaster with salt, pepper, onion, bell pepper, and a little Cajun seasoning. I cook it on low all night, then the next morning I add potatoes and carrots and turn it up to high. My meal is ready by lunch.
mine is stuffed pork chops cooked in the oven
We like pork steaks on the grill.
I make a wonderful Pulled Pork in my slow cooker
My FAV is Smothered pork chops!!! Yumm…. (Holly)
I love sprinkling Lemon Pepper on Pork chops and grilling them. So awesome!
I like pork chops with cream of mushroom on the top.
My favorite is barbeque pork chops.
Pork, The other white meat.
I love putting pork in the crock pot with bbq sauce, super easy and super yummy!
I use ground pork in my sauce for lasagna!
pleged
http://www.facebook.com/PorkBeInspired/posts/10150762976065120
brich22 at earthlink dot net
Original Ranch Pork Chops is one favorite
brich22 at earthlink dot net
We like pulled pork in our family.
We loved marinated pork chops inourhouse
I use homemade apple butter that I put on a pork roast and cook at a low temp for hours. It is awesome
I love pouring Italian dressing on pork and cooking in the oven at 375 for 45 minutes. So good and tasty!
I make a summer corn salad with pork cubed up. It is really good with spinach and cilantro, corn and red peppers. I found the recipe on Eat Better America
I looooove a pulled pork sandwich with cole slaw.
I love to make pulled pork in the crock pot
jenhedger at hotmail dot com
My favorite is Fried Pork Chops, with just a light breading, like my Mom always made. I also love Smoker Pulled Pork and BBQ ribs and so many more dishes with pork.
chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com
Lemon Pepper spices and then put it on the grill.
My favorite recipe for pork is pot stickers. So good.
I love pulled pork in the crockpot
vmkids3 at msn dot com
My favorite recipe is breaded and pan fried pork chops
My favorite recipe is lemon pepper pork chops
WE LOVE BREADED PORKCHOPS
I put pork chops or pork roast in a slow cooker, then cover with Vidalia Onion Dressing, or just cream of mushroom soup. Then cook for a few hours until it falls apart and melts in your mouth! Yum!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I have a slow cooker recipe for sweet pork…. it uses brown sugar and coke marinade and we all love it!
I love to make oven baked smothered pork chops
My favorite recipe is stuffed pork chops.
pork and stuffing done in the crockpot (yummy and quick!!)
simple bbq porkchops
My favorite pork recipe is teriyaki, pineapple pork chops cooked in the oven!
Pulled pork sandwich.
i love the mexican pulled pork and pinto beans that I make in the crockpot. My family loves it.
i love just basic pork chops and applesauce
i love pulled bbq pork
My favorite pork recipe is a spice rubbed pork roast in the slow cooker.
My husband cooks a bone-in pork chop with his famous peach-mango chutney…yummy!
My favorite is grilled pork tenderloin marinated in fajita marinade with a spicy cherry sauce.
We like to cook pork chops on the grill.
we actually make our own pork eggrolls, theyre really good
I love making pork fried rice.
Pulled pork sandwich.
Smothered pork chops
-Favorite recipe: Barbecue Pork Sandwiches
Email: starseeds88 (at) yahoo dot com
THANKS!! 🙂
We love to make pulled porl in the crock pot
bbq pulled pork is my favorite to make in the crockpot
I love making BBQ Pork Ribs in the Crockpot.
porked chops with baked apples
pulled pork is my fav
Simmer pork chops with one can of crushed pineapple until cooked.
My husband makes great pulled pork and also green chili pork!
I love to make bacon wrapped pork chops on the grill
dry ranch dressing mixed with cream of chicken soup / pour over porkchops – put them in the crockpot – delish!
pork chops and applesauce
Baked, after searing the meat, and served with applesauce, Golden Russet potatoes and broccoli!
I make it in my slow cooker with soba noodles
I don’t really HAVE a favorite pork recipe per se, but one of my all-time favorite comfort foods is Shake & Bake pork chops with mashed potatoes & gravy and green beans!
My favorite is My Favorite Pork Loin Recipe ヅ *Thanks* for the giveaway!
I love a good pork roast with oven cooked carrots and mashed potatoes.
my sister grills pork loin that is marinated in ginger and terriyaki
nannypanpan@gmail.com
Sweet and sour pork
I love making a Stuffed Pork Tenderloin — just slice open a tenderloin and pound flat. Then spread with a bit of olive oil, thinly sliced ham, lots of fresh baby spinach, and shredded mozzarella cheese (can also add sauteed mushrooms & onions if desired). Roll up and tie. Great grilled or in the oven, comes out soooo juicy and amazing! 🙂
I like pork chops on the grill with barbecue sauce.
I like to make pork chops with gravy and dressing.
My husband does this amazing thing with apple butter (Jelly from Vermont Country Store) and pork. It is so good, he sits it overnight and slow cooks it oven, crock or grill, they all come out wonderful.
sweet and sour pork over rice
Pork Chops without a doubt. I never get tired of them.
mine is very simple and the whole family loves them- i shake and bake them
Pork tenderloins marinated then grilled.
I love making carnitas
Italian Breaded Pork Chops 🙂
shebebes@yahoo.com
I made an Asian pork recipe in the crockpot a few weeks ago. It was AMAZING!
Pork roast slow cooking, with a thick mushroom gravy is awesome.
I like to put it on the grill
Cranberry and stuffing pork loin.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
at our house we make the most amazing pork fried rice!
Barbecued pulled pork sandwiches!
skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
I love grilled country ribs with my own bbq sauce recipe!
Slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches with LOTS of BBQ sauce!
I love broiled (seasoned) pork chops
Love pulled pork sandwiches!
Pork / Chicken adobo. Water / vinegar / garlic and the meat. Boil until done. Let sit in the frig, it gets yummier over time.
I like pork chops in sauerkraut.
Baked pork chops with stuffing on the side
Slow smoked pulled pork
We enjoy grilled pork chops and pineapple
I love to throw a pork roast in the slow cooker with some bbq sauce and let it cook on low all day. It’s pretty yummy!
I like the country style boneless ribs covered in my homemade barbecue sauce.
Pulled pork sandwich with BBQ
Pork has always been my favorite meat whether roasted, broiled, barbecued or whatever.
I love to put a pork roast in the crock pot, slice an onion over & pour a can of sauerkraut over it & cook all day. I serve it with mashed potatoes & it’s so good!
love pork and sauerkraut
One of my favorites till this day is pork chops and apple sauce.
I like pulled pork made with onion soup mix and garlic salt.
I always did believe that pork was one if the healthier meats as long as there isn’t too much fat.
Pork chops, pork sausages – indian style!
I enjoy eating pork done in an apple cider sauce. It comes out so tender and flavourful!
Sweet and sour pork in the slow cooker.
One of my favorite pork recipes is Roasted Loin of Pork with Pan Gravy:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/roasted-loin-of-pork-with-pan-gravy/detail.aspx
abfantom at yahoo dot com
Chili Rubbed Pork Tenderloin With Apricot Ginger Glaze
ky2here at msn dot com
My husband and I crush up Corn Flakes and put seasoning into the crushed up cereal and then coat pork chops with those dry ingredients. I then serve it with applesauce (for my husband)
So much of what was handed down was good but has been distorted. Bring back pork chops!
fried pork chops..what am i? a chef?
I love my pork tenderloin marrinated in terriaki sauce!
ptavernie at yahoo dot com
I love pulled pork…mmmm
My favorite is breaded pork chops. We add a little caraway seeds to the breading mix and it tastes so delicious.
Thanks so much.
I like making baked pork chops.
I just made pork chops in mushroom gravy last week, was so good too.
making pulled pork sandwiches in the slow cooker as I type!!!
I have a barbecue sauce for spare ribs that we love~
I’m not sure of the details but my mom makes a Sweet and Sour Rotisserie Pork Roast that rocks. I look forward to having it every holiday
Grilled baby back ribs are my favorite.
We love pork in this household. Our favorite is my Mother’s recipe, of bread pork chops. We have this at least once a week at our house.
We eat a lot of pork…..pork chops, pork roast, BBQ. My favorite dish to make is a pork roast with rosemary=)
Pork loin with an apple & cranberry sauce.
love pulled pork in the crockpot. If i am cooking them in a pan, then my fav recipe is cooking them in olive oil, then adding shallots, cream, and wine for a yummy sauce. it’s my favorite!
I use a lot of pork because it is lean, versatile, and pork chops and pork tenderloin can be prepared very quickly. Our current favorite is stuffed pork chops and a sweet potato hash with eggs that I developed for the National Pork Board. My husband has heart disease and the recipes on my website are heart healthy using spices, herbs, infused oils and vinegars instead of salt for added flavor.
my favorite way to use pork is to BBQ it,,in the crock pot
vlbelk(at)Hotmail.com
We are actually have boneless pork for dinner tomorrow night. I usually use shake and bake. But for tomorrow night I plan to search out a recipe of a different kind. LOL
I use a recipe from the Kraft Foods website of pork chops with apples and stuffing that I absolutely love!
My husband makes great pulled pork!
We like pulled pork.
My sister has a great pulled pork recipe that she makes in the crock pot.
I love baked pork chops with an apple base.
My favorite is BBQ pork loin chops on the grill! YUMMMM
My favorite pork chop recipe is to simply fry the chops with a little bit of canola oil on both sides until they are golden. Then place them in a baking dish with one can of cream of mushrooms and some onions and broccoli. Then bake the whole thing for 30 minutes. The veggies will release their water and mix with the cream of mushrooms, creating a yummy sauce the chops with sit in.
I make a roast pork loin that I have seared in a bit olive oil, anointed with thyme herb and pepper then laid a layer of thinly sliced granny smith apple all along its length (I paint the apple with a little olive oil too) then roasted in the oven. It comes out really juicy and nice. I discard the apples, but I prepare apple sauce (apples, water no sugar) to eat with this.