The Family Meal: Don’t Be So Chicken

I’m a Texas girl and therefore like my beef. You will never overhear me telling someone about the all veggie dish I prepared for my family. However, I do understand that red meat should be served sparingly and in an effort to give the men in my life some healthier meat options I turn to pork.

Notice I did not say chicken.

That’s right girls; I know you are out there. The ones that serve the same boring dried out chicken breast to your families every other day because you think you have no options. In fact, you were probably just thinking to yourself, “If I throw a slice of cheese on it maybe that will make it new and exciting”. Throw out the fear because I’m here to tell you that pork can be a truly tasty and healthy meat, and if you can cook chicken, you can handle pork.

The one thing I hear over and over from other moms is that they feel as though they have no variety in their rotation of meals. Everyone is searching for the easy to prepare, easier to cook dinner and believe me I understand that. I also feel that our mealtimes are so important. Our homes are our havens; where we seek refuge from the storms that lie right outside the front door. I think it’s sad that dinner is sometimes the afterthought at the end of the day. “What will I make for dinner?” is the five o’clock anthem that a woman cries out as she knows her family needs to eat. But what if we make it just a little special sometimes? What if we commit to planning ahead and trying new things instead of the same old boxed meal? What if dinner became everyone’s favorite part of the day?

The following is a dish that while simple, will also impress. I hope you try it and enjoy it as much as my family does. You might even get a hug for not serving up chicken.

Apricot-glazed Pork Medallions

Need:

1 lb. pork tenderloin, cut crosswise into ½ inch thick rounds

Salt and ground pepper

2 teaspoons sesame oil

1 ¼ cup apricot preserves

¼ cup tamari sauce (I always use soy sauce because I cook with it more and think it silly to just go buy tamari sauce for 1 dish; but please feel free to do it your way)

1 tablespoon chopped pickled ginger (in a pinch, I have been known to just use a teaspoon of dried ginger and it has the same flavoring)

Season both sides of pork with salt and pepper. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork and sear 2 minutes per side. Add apricot preserves, sauce and ginger and bring to a simmer. Simmer 5 minutes, until pork is cooked through and sauce reduces.

I serve this with jasmine rice and string green beans (use the frozen bags that steam to save time!)

**********************************************************************************

Steph is a small town girl living the big city life with her superhero hubby of nearly 6 years, Scott and their superhero- in-training son, Weston who is 14 months old.   When she isn’t chasing her son away from electrical outlets she loves to throw theme parties, write notes to her friends, read, travel and cook.  She is obsessed with taking pictures but has yet to complete her son’s baby album because she loves hanging out at antique stores and barn sales on weekends.