Chili-Lime Pork Chops

{Pillsbury Fast & Healthy Cookbook}

Start to finish: 15 min
Servings: 4

Ingredients:
Seasoning:
1 t chili powder
1/2 t garlic salt
1/8 t cayenne pepper / ground red pepper
1 T lime juice
1 t canola oil

Pork:
4 boneless pork loin chops 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick (1 lb)

If Desired:
Chopped fresh cilantro
Lime wedges


Instructions:
Heat closed contact grill for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in  a small bowl, mix all seasoning ingredients. Brush mixture evenly on both sides of each pork chop.

When grill is heated, place pork chops on the bottom grill surface. Close grill; cook 5 to 7 minutes or until pork is no longer pink in center.

  

 **I flipped them over half-way through, even though the directions did not say to... I thought that would be in the best interest of the meat***

Sprinkle pork with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

***

This recipe was my first attempt at pork, incredibly simple, and so yummy!! This was sparked by my trying to save money for my Argentina trip, looking at the grocery ads before going to the grocery store, and seeing that pork chops were on sale... I have been wanting to try new things with my grill, and get as much use out of it during this nice weather. This was the perfect opportunity to try something new! Little did I know that the pork chops would come in a package of 10(?)! I knew that it was not in my best (money-saving, food-not-wasting) interest to cook them all... so I took out the four that the recipe called for and froze the rest.

Honestly, I used to think that I hated pork, so I would never make it... but I have found in the last year or so that it's not so bad, and not always as fatty as I remembered (I do not like fatty meat).

This recipe was so quick and easy! And now I'm looking forward to some lunches and dinners this week!

1 Serving: 190 calories; 10g fat; 170mg sodium; 0g carbohydrates; 0g fiber

Fish Fillets with Herbed Tartar Sauce {Pillsbury Fast & Healthy Cookbook}

Start to Finish: 20 min
Serves 4

Ingredients:
1 egg
1/2 c Italian-style dry bread crumbs
1 T olive oil
1 lb mild-flavored fish fillets (about 4 serving pieces)
1/3 c fat-free tartar sauce
1/4 c chopped tomato
1/2 t dried basil leaves

Instructions:
In a shallow dish, beat egg with wire whisk. In another shallow dish, place bread crumbs.

 
In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat until hot. Dip fish into egg, then coat with bread crumbs; place in skillet.

Cook 8 to 10 minutes, turning once, until browned on both sides and fish flakes easily with fork.

In a small bowl, mix tartar sauce, tomato and basil, serve with fish.

***

I simplified today... I didn't have tartar sauce or tomatoes, so I skipped that step and those ingredients. I used individually packaged, frozen (and thawed) tilapia. My fish browned pretty quickly, but I think I had the heat on a bit too high. The fish was good on its own, but I'm sure it would have been even better with the tartar sauce - next time!

Simple. Quick. Easy.

Enjoy!

p.s. for you singles and doubles out there, this can easily be altered to make less (or more if you have a large family), and I'm sure would heat up decently - though don't take it to work because we all know how people react to the smell of reheated fish!

[FYI] Goal: Argentina

Ok, friends. I have done some budgeting, and I have a very big goal: a trip to Argentina at Christmas. To be able to afford this, I am going to have to start living very differently... saying goodbye to almost all shopping, eating out, entertainment, coffee(?!), and basically any frivolous spending. The good news is that I think I really can make this happen. The hard news is that... this is going to be very hard! Please be patient with me.

The really good news for this blog is that I'm going to be doing a LOT more cooking and a LOT less eating out... AND, I'm not going to be spending money on outside activities... so I should have more time for blogging all of this food!

Here goes nothing!