Pork Stir Fry

After a brief hiatus due to birthdays and funerals, I have returned!

And I brought back with me this delicious (and healthy!) recipe!  It's incredibly easy, and a hearty serving has less than 300 calories!  You can't lose!  (well, except weight!)

10/10, would eat.

 Here's what you'll need:

• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Marsala wine
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
• 1 8oz can pineapple rings in juice
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 scallions, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 12oz pork loin, cut into thin strips
• 1 8oz can sliced carrots
• 1 14.5oz can baby corn
• 3/4 cup bean sprouts 

1. Mix the soy sauce, wine, vinegar, sugar, and five-spice powder together in a bowl.
2. Drain the pineapple, reserving the liquid.  Chop the pineapple and set aside.  Stir the cornstarch into the pineapple juice until combined.
3. Stir the pineapple juice mixture into the soy sauce mixture.  Set aside.
4. Heat the oil in a preheated wok or large, heavy-bottomed skillet.  Add the scallions, garlic, and ginger, and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
5. Add the pork strips and stir-fry for about 3 minutes, until browned all over.
6. Add the carrots and baby corn and stir-fry for 3 minutes.
7. Add the bean sprouts and stir-fry for 2 minutes.
8. Add the pineapple and the soy sauce mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for another 2 minutes, until slightly thickened.
9. Serve immediately, alone or over steamed rice.

This dish truthfully tastes amazing.

Here's the skinny on the skinny!

Calories:  297
Fat:  12g
Cholesterol:  60mg
Sodium:  752mg
Potassium:  513mg
Total Carbohydrate:  22g
Protein:  26g

All in all, it's decently healthy for you, extremely simple, and even rather inexpensive, if you can find a good sale on your pork loin.  You can easily substitute in chicken, beef, etc., as you so desire, also!

Mmmm...

Mabon and other things...

Yesterday, my husband and I celebrated Mabon for the first time together.  We shared in a quiet, centering, small ritual, then I cooked us a fabulous dinner and we just had a romantic, quiet evening, enjoying one anothers' company.

This was our amazing meal.  <3

I felt renewed and recharged yesterday.  It was a wonderful sort of peace.

Then, today, my mom called.  My grandmother died this afternoon.  She was going to turn 89 years old on the 26th (the day after my son turns 3).
I haven't cried yet.  I'm kind of devoid of emotions.  She's had alzheimer's and dementia for years.  The last time I saw her, she had no idea who I was.  That's not to say I don't love her.  I do.  Very much.  The reality just hasn't sunken in yet.

Hidden Surprise Burgers!

Last night, we were out super late, so we forewent cooking & got take out.
Tonight, I wanted to try something different.  Think of these as kinda like the Patty Melts you can get at Whataburger or Waffle House.
I present to you now...Hidden Surprise Burgers...
(You'll understand the surprise in a moment!)
These are pretty amazing...and for the punch they pack, they're surprisingly (reasonably) low on calories!

Look at that greasy, delicious goodness.  LOOK AT IT!

Here's what you'll need!

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tsp hot sauce (I used Louisiana Hot Sauce)
• 1 tbsp bread crumbs
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 tbsp diced pickled jalapeno pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease or line a baking dish.
2. In a bowl, combine the egg, ground beef, onion, hot sauce, and bread crumbs.  Season with paprika, parsley, salt, and pepper.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the cheese and jalapenos.  
4. Form the beef mixture into 4 balls and press a well into the center of each.  Stuff with equal amounts of the cheese mixture.  Press meat around the filling to seal.
5. Press the balls into thick patties and place in your baking dish.
6. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, turning once, until well done.

Makes 4 patties.

And the (nutritional) damage:

Calories:  386
Fat:  32g
Cholesterol:  133mg
Sodium:  148mg
Potassium:  312mg
Total Carbohydrate:  2.6g
Protein:  21g

What can I say?  I'm a girl that likes a burger on plain white bread.  So sue me.

All in all, not terrible for you.  And soooo yummy!  Just don't make it every day.  :)

Southwest Chicken Casserole

This dish is super easy and very tasty!  And the best part?  A serving clocks in at only 334 calories!
I typically shrink recipes down to feed hubby, myself, and our munchkin, so feel free to adjust volumes to meet your needs!

If this were animated, you could see the bubbles!

You will need:

• 2/3 cup uncooked white rice
• 1 1/3 cup water
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack/Colby cheese
• 1 can Cream of Chicken and Mushroom soup
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 3/4 cup salsa (whatever level of heat you prefer!)

1. Place rice and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes
2. Meanwhile, place chicken breast halves into a large saucepan and fill the pan with water.  Bring to a boil and cook for 20 minutes, until chicken is done.  Remove the chicken from the water.  When it's cool enough to handle, cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a 9x9 baking pan.
4. In a medium bowl, mix together soup, onion, and salsa.  Layer half of the rice, half of the chicken, half of the soup and salsa mixture, and half of the cheese in the prepared dish.  Repeat the layers, ending with the cheese.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, until bubbly.

Serves 4.

Here's the skinny on the nutrition info!
Calories:  334
Fat:  18g
Cholesterol:  86mg
Sodium:  1042mg
Potassium:  285mg
Carbohydrate:  18g
Protein:  28g

Yummmmmm...

All in all, it's a reasonably healthy, very tasty dish!

Obligatory Introductory Post

Once again, I'm giving this blogging thing a go!
And I'm gonna stick to it this time!
Here, you'll find insights into the mind of a young solitary witch, tasty recipes, anecdotes about movies, video games, and books...and whatever general shenanigans spark my fancy!
Brand new recipe post forthcoming!