Jul 222015
 

Do you know how many calories and carbohydrates are in a cup of rice? First of all, the box of Minute Rice shows that one serving is 1/2 cup. A 1/2 cup of Minute Rice has 170 calories and 38 grams of carbohydrates (Yikes!) Who eats 1/2 cup of rice? Usually, it depends on whether you eat rice as a full meal or as a side dish. Not me, I can eat pork fried rice by the quart. Let’s see, a quart of rice is 1360 calories, or 304 grams of carbohydrates. Good grief, 304 grams of carbs is more than six days worth of carbohydrates for me! No wonder I got myself into this predicament. Oh, well, it just reinforces my decision to change the way I eat.

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When I eat pork fried rice it reminds me of my childhood Summers at the amusement park, where they had this fabulous little walk-up Chinese Food stand. Anyway, I blogged a little about that here.,

Again, I digress.

So, onward and upward. I am trying to make healthier choices when deciding what to eat, but at the same time I don’t want to feel like I’m missing out on my favorite foods, like pork fried rice. In this case, the healthy choice is using cauliflower instead of rice. I’m not a big cauliflower eater. I’ve had it roasted with olive oil, and I like it raw with a dip, but that’s about it. The next thing I want to try is cauliflower mashed potatoes.

I’m going to show you the few changes that I made to my Pork Fried Rice recipe. Please excuse me for copying the main recipe because I’ve only made a few changes.

I usually make this when I have an extra pork chop, but it would also be good with chicken, beef or shrimp. You can also add whatever vegetables you choose, such as broccoli, shredded carrots, or peppers. I usually only add small peas. In this case, I left out the peas because they are not carb-friendly. The combined flavors from the garlic, green onions, ginger, and the addition of sesame oil, rice vinegar and soy sauce, makes it oh, so good!

Ingredients:

3-4 Tbsp vegetable oil
A few drops of sesame oil (optional)
1 pork chop, cooked or uncooked, and cut into 1/4″ pieces
1/2 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced or grated
1-1/2 tsp minced fresh ginger (I use a fine grater)
3-4 green onions, chopped (white and light green parts)
1/2 large head or 1 small head of cauliflower (comes out to about 1-1/2 to 2 cups when grated)
Your choice of vegetables (broccoli, carrots, peas) (Optional)
2 eggs, scrambled
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp rice vinegar

Directions:

First, remove leaves and pull apart florets from half of the head of cauliflower. Add to colander and rinse. I then cut those in smaller chunks to fit in my food chopper. Or, you can use a box grater to grate the cauliflower. I was surpised at how well the chopper (or food processor) grated the cauliflower. It was so easy, and it looks just like rice. You don’t even have to cook it!

In a wok or large skillet, over medium high heat, add 2 Tbsp of vegetable oil and sesame oil. Mmmm! I love the smell of sesame oil!

If uncooked, add pork and cook 5-6 minutes until cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Lower heat to medium, heat up a little more vegetable oil, add onion and saute for about five minutes, until translucent. Then, add garlic, ginger, and green onions. Cook about 1 minute.

grated garlic and ginger
I store my ginger in the freezer and grate as needed

Add cauliflower rice to skillet and turn heat to medium-high. Let the rice get crispy, about 2 minutes. This is when you add your vegetables; broccoli would be good, and stir.

Move rice to the side and add eggs, scrambling them and working into the rice mixture as you go. You might need to add a little more oil.

Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, and cooked pork. Toss together and serve.

Add soy sauce

Add soy sauce

Chopped pork

Add cooked pork

Check out my posts, My Journey to a Healthier Low Carb Way of Life, and Cauliflower Mac & Cheese.

Printable recipe without images:


May 302015
 

Now that it’s Summertime, it’s time to break out the grills and start cooking outdoors! I watched Chef Walter grilling on TV and I was drooling the whole time! I was suddenly craving grilled BBQ chicken, but this recipe would be great for burgers, chicken, and pork.

First, some safety tips:

  • Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
  • The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
  • Keep children and pets away from the grill area.
  • Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
  • Never leave your grill unattended.
  • Always follow the laws and guidelines for your state when it comes to using propane gas or charcoal grills.

Printable recipe without images:


Jan 252015
 

Now, I’ve been eating Chinese take-out since I was a little girl. In fact, whenever I order pork fried rice, it brings me back to the early 1960’s, where I found the best ever pork fried rice at the Salisbury Beach amusement park in Salisbury, Massachusetts. It has been my mission to find a pork fried rice that can compare to that little Chinese take-out stand at Salisbury Beach. I haven’t found one, yet, but I have come close.

Chinese Food StandNot the one from my childhood, but still brings back happy memories

In the early 60s, we spent a few Summer vacations at Salisbury Beach. It was in a small coastal town named Salisbury, Massachusetts, just south of the New Hampshire border. It had one of the best Amusement Parks, second to my favorite, Paragon Park in Nantasket Beach, MA. My favorite attraction of all at Salisbury Beach was the Scrambler. The operator would let me ride it as many times as I wanted without having to buy a ticket; I could ride that thing all day.

Salisbury Beach Fun-A-RamaSalisbury Beach Fun-A-Rama
The Scrambler RideThe Scrambler Ride
Salisbury Beach FunlandSalisbury Beach Funland

At the time, my mother was working at the Kon Tiki Lounge in Salisbury Beach. They used to have some of the best celebrities come to visit and perform. I’ll never forget the time my mom let us in to see Bobby Vinton sing Roses are Red. That was so cool!

Anyway, I digress big time! I started to post about the cool trick I learned to do with a Chinese Take-Out Box with the metal handle. You know the one I mean, right? This trick has probably been around for generations, but I just found out about it recently. Every now and then, I would prefer to just pop the container into the microwave, but because of the metal handle, it can’t be microwaved. I was afraid that if I tried to remove the handle, the whole thing would fall apart. So, I would have to find a plate or bowl, scoop out the contents of the container onto a plate, which is just one more plate to clean.

One day, it might have been on Facebook, I saw a post about how to convert the take-out box into a microwavable plate. When the handle is removed and the box opened, it flattens out into a heavy duty paper plate! Unbelievable!

Chinese Take-Out Box with HandleChinese Take-Out Box with Handle
Opening a Chinese Take-Out BoxOpening a Chinese Take-out Box
Unhook handle from box flapUnhook handle from the box flaps
Chinese Take-Out Box PlateVoila! Instant microwavable plate!
Chinese Take-Out Box Plate

Check out my recipe for Pork Fried Rice – Click Here


May 282014
 

Pork fried riceI usually make this when I have an extra pork chop, but it would also be good with chicken, beef or shrimp.  You can also add whatever vegetables you choose, such as broccoli, shredded carrots, or peppers. I usually only add small peas. The combined flavors from the garlic, green onions, ginger, and the addition of sesame oil, rice vinegar and soy sauce, makes it oh, so good!

Ingredients:

3-4 Tbsp vegetable oil
A few drops of sesame oil (optional)
1 pork chop, cooked or uncooked, and cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced or grated
1-1/2 tsp minced fresh ginger (I use a fine grater)
3-4 green onions, chopped (white and light green parts)
A handful of frozen peas or sugar snap peas (or both)
1/4 cup diced frozen or cooked carrots – optional (I sometimes use canned peas and carrots)
1-1/2 cups cold cooked brown or white rice (I use either Minute Rice or long grain white rice)
2 eggs, scrambled
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp rice vinegar

Directions:

In a wok or large skillet, over medium high heat, add 2 Tbsp of vegetable oil and sesame oil.

If uncooked, add pork and cook 5-6 minutes until cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Lower heat to medium, heat up a little more vegetable oil, add onion and saute for about five minutes, until translucent. Then, add garlic, ginger, and green onions. Cook about 1 minute.

grated garlic and ginger
I store my ginger in the freezer and grate as needed

Mix in rice and turn heat to medium-high. Let the rice get crispy, about 2 minutes. Add peas and carrots, and stir.

Mix in rice and peas

Mix in rice, stir until crispy, add peas and carrots, and stir

Move rice to the side and add eggs, scrambling them and working into the rice mixture as you go. You might need to add a little more oil.

Add eggs to rice

Move rice to the side and add eggs

Stir eggs into rice rice

Stir eggs into rice

Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, and cooked pork. Toss together and serve.

Add soy sauce

Add soy sauce

Add rice vinegar

Add rice vinegar

Chopped pork

Add cooked pork

Pork fried rice

Pork Fried Rice

Printable recipe without images:


Apr 182013
 

I went shopping on Saturday and I went a bit overboard. I’m not always able to buy much more than chicken and ground beef, but this time I picked up some really nice finds in the meat and seafood departments, thanks to the weekly sales and manager’s specials at Kroger.

So, here’s a list of meat that I purchased:

    2 Sirloin Tips, approx. 4 lbs. each – on sale (To be used for steaks, pot roast, beef tips, stew)
    1 Small sirloin tip (manager’s special)
    2-1/2 lb. chuck roast (another manager’s special)
    14 thin boneless pork loin chops (family size package for 2 nights)
    14 whole chicken wings (I split them for Buffalo wings)
    2 lbs ground beef (plus I already had 2-3 lbs. in the freezer)
    2 racks of pork back ribs – on sale
    1-1/2 lbs fresh cod fish filets – on sale
    10 sweet Italian sausage links (2 nights) – Kroger brand
    Beef hot dogs – Ball Park on sale

I didn’t buy chicken because I have a freezer full.

Following is a draft of meals that I will make in the next two weeks, plus the links to the recipes that I used/will use:

  1. My Mother’s Pork Loin Chops Simmered in Beef Gravy – http://susans-musings.com/my-mothers-pork-loin-chops-simmered-in-beef-gravy
    This one of my family’s favorites. I make these every other week for my son. When I say we’re having pork chops, he asks if they’re his pork chops or dad’s, who prefers my From Stove to Oven Baked Pork Chops. I like them both.

Continue reading »

Jan 172013
 

I made these pork chops the other night, and they came out absolutely delicious. They started out on the stove to brown in garlic, butter and olive oil, and then I baked them in the oven. I wish I had a large cast iron skillet, it would have been perfect for this stove-to-oven recipe. Instead, I transferred the pork chops, along with pan bits and oil, to a roasting pan and placed it in the oven. They still came out great.

Ingredients:

    4 bone-in or boneless pork chops
    1 to 2 eggs (start with one, add more if needed)
    1 tablespoon milk per egg
    1/2 to 1 cup flour
    1/2 to 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
    1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
    2 tablespoons dried parsley
    2 tablespoon olive oil
    1 tablespoon butter or margarine
    4 cloves garlic (sliced or quartered, will be discarded later)

Lodge Logic Pre-Seasoned Skillet

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C).
  2. Set out three bowls for breading. One for beaten milk and egg, one for flour, and one for breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese and parsley.
  3. Heat oil and butter in a large, oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic until lightly browned. Disgard garlic or reserve for other uses.
  4. Dip each pork chop into egg mixture, then flour, egg mixture again, and then into the breadcrumb mixture, coating evenly on both sides. You may not think the flour is necessary, but it helps bind the breadcrumbs to the pork chops.
  5. Place coated pork chops in the skillet, and brown for five minutes on each side.
  6. Transfer skillet to oven and bake 25 to 30 minutes. If you don’t have an oven proof skillet, transfer browned pork chops with any remaining oil and bits to roasting pan.
    Serve with desired side dishes – vegetables, rice, potatoes or pasta. I love applesauce with pork chops.

Bon appétit!

Family Rating: Five Smileys

Tell us what you think!

Please leave a comment and let us know if you liked this recipe.

Do you have a favorite recipe for pork chops that you’d like to share? If so, please use the comment box below and leave a link that goes directly to your recipe. Also, please add a link back to Susan’s Musings.

Thank you!

~~~~~~~~~~

Oct 022012
 


FREE Farmhouse Kitchen Recipes: Cracking Crock-Pot Meals: (Stews, casseroles and other Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes)

FREE Farmhouse Kitchen Recipes: Cracking Crock-Pot Meals: (Stews, casseroles and other Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes)
By F. A. Paris
[Kindle Edition]
Publication Date: September 28, 2012
Length: 73 pages

With Autumn upon us, and Winter creeping up, the weather is perfect for some heart-warming scents that permeate the home while the most sensational meals slow cook all day long. Continue reading »

Oct 142011
 

This is one of my family favorites. I usually make them the way my mother did, with Heinz Homestyle Savory Beef gravy. Campbell’s Beef Gravy is good, too, or just use your favorite. These boneless pork loins are so tender you can cut them with a fork. It’s simple and delicious!

 

Bon appétit!

Family Rating: Five Smileys

 

Aug 302011
 

Here’s what’s for dinner this week:

    Meal Plan for Week 8/28/11 – 9/3/11

  • Sunday – Beef tips and gravy over wide noodles – Click here for recipe
  • Monday – Oven baked BBQ chicken, mac & cheese – Click here for recipe
  • Tuesday – Ham slices, mashed potatoes, corn
  • Wednesday – Burritos, tacos, black beans and rice
  • Thursday – Pizza (Digiorno’s Pepperoni Rising Crust)
  • Friday – Oven baked buffalo chicken wings – Click here for recipe
  • Saturday – Grilled top sirloin steaks, baked potatoes and broccoli

Bon appétit!

Aug 232011
 

I don’t usually eat breakfast. I know they say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and they’re probably right, whoever “they” are. But I’m just not hungry as soon as I get up in the morning. My husband never eats breakfast, but he has had brunch from time to time.

Anyway, today, I was in the mood for my sausage gravy and biscuits. I made it a point to buy ground sausage when I went shopping on Friday.

Learning how to make gravy was a process for me. It took years before my gravy was edible. Now, it seems so simple. Practice makes perfect, I guess. I still use canned or packaged gravies, sometimes, for beef or chicken when I’m only cooking for the three of us, and it depends on how much liquid is left in the pan.

But, I have to make sausage gravy from scratch. I make up a batch once in awhile and have it several times during the week.
Continue reading »