OH-IO!  Football season is well on its way!  Whether you are a faithful citizen of Buckeye Nation, as you very well should be, or choose to root for some other team, yes – supposedly there are other football teams, there is one common bond we all share…FOOD. Football season means it’s time to tailgate!

Below are some recipes that will have you looking like a tailgate pro in no time, and there is no better way to do that than with PORK!  Make sure you click on the picture for the juicy details!

Grilled Bratwurst with Onions Braised in Beer and Mustard

Whoa, it’s a brat….well, not your typical brat; this one is maxed out with flavor. Just look at that and try not to be hungry, I dare you!

Barbecued Pork Steaks

If you like steak, then what could possibly be better than a pork steak?

Honey Pork Tenderloin Kabobs

Kabobs!  Grab ‘em and go! These kabobs are the answer to your quest for quick and easy finger food!

Mother’s Day is this weekend.  Just in case you forgot, don’t go to the store and buy some flowers just yet.  Mom may just appreciate a day off more than anything you could fit into a box.  If you are really looking for something fantastic for Mother’s Day check out these recipes.

Breakfast in Bed

Lunch

Dinner

Time to impress your Mom by showing off your culinary skills and by choosing a lean and delicious protein.  She will appreciate the day off and of course three delicious meals.

I stumbled upon the 2-for-1 Stuffed Pork Tenderloin recipe at Emily Bites and I had to share it!  I looks delicious and you can personalize the recipe based on what you have available in your kitchen.   I know what’s going to be on the menu for my next special occasion like Mother’s Day, a birthday, or the celebration meal after we have a full week above 60 degrees!  (Obviously, I can’t wait for spring to officially come!  Is the snow done yet?)

            I love Emily’s blog because all of her recipes follow her goals to make food that is healthy, delicious, and still easy to prepare.  I feel like I can make almost all of her recipes at home and they are all based on ingredients that I have in my kitchen or have seen hundreds of times in the grocery store.  Plus they all look fantastic and you have to love that!!

            You should definitely check out this recipe and many like it at her blog here.

A few weeks ago I went to help the Ohio Pork Producers at the Taste of Elegance.  The Taste of Elegance is a food competition like the Iron Chef America but in downtown Columbus!

The secret ingredient for this cuisine showdown was pork of course!  There were some absolutely gorgeous and delicious dishes prepared by the chefs.

Delicious pork dish created by our contestants

Our judges and winners of the night!

Congratulations to our winners!

Chef Par Excellence: Chef Todd McDunn of Lakeview Café at the Scotts Co.

Superior Chef: Chef Dave MacLennan of Latitude 41

Premier Chef & People’s Choice Award: Chef Michael Delligatta of Michael Anthony’s at the Inn in Versailles

Participants:  Chef Tim Franks of Flavorseal

                        Chef Scott Pierce of the Refectory

                        Chef Michael Thompson of The Hideaway Inn

To see more pictures take a look at Ohio Hog Farmers on Facebook!

P.S. I tried to get all the leftover pork from the competition and it was all gone because it was so delicious!

P.P.S. Since the pork was quickly devoured, there was a lot of cupcakes left.  I did manage to walk out with around 20 cupcakes so I didn’t walk away empty handed

It seems as though Valentine’s Day seems to be focused more and more on candy, flowers, and hearts.  I think it’s important to get back to what is really important and that is expressing your love for whomever and whatever it may be.  

Well, I obviously love pork!  So I decided to give my five top reasons that I love pork and I decided to show them all in video form.  Enjoy and if you do go out to eat with your loved one, try out the pork tenderloin or pork chop!

5. I love that tenderloin is just as lean as a boneless skinless chicken breast.

4.  I love that pork can help you out impress your friends at a party.

3.  I love that pork gives us the ability to make restaurant ribs at home.  Yum!

2. I love all the recipes you can make with one pork loin!

1. I especially love the farmers who bring us delicious pork!

I’ve never really been one for New Year’s Resolutions, but every year the biggest New Year’s Resolution seems to be losing weight. 

Personally, there was no single moment when I decided to become healthier.  If there was any point, it was when I was trying to get into a college of veterinary medicine.  For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to work on farm animals as a food animal veterinarian.  Also for as long as I can remember, I have been told that it is hard work with long hours (which it is) and I will change my mind.

One night I was at a meeting and a large animal veterinarian was speaking.  He made a comment that stuck with me. “Women are just as capable of being veterinarians as men, but everyone who wants to be a food animal veterinarian needs the endurance.  You all have access to your college gym, use it!”

I’ve never been extraordinarily overweight, but my idea of exercise in high school was being part of the marching band.  I wasn’t interested in sport because even to this day balls flying at my face turn me into a complete spaz.  Endurance was something that I didn’t have, but if that’s what I needed to achieve my goal than that is what I would do.

So, if it takes the date 2011 to make that turning point that you were hoping for or maybe a challenge to achieve the a goal in your life, those of us here at Porktastic say go for it.  I’ve only decided to become an effective veterinarian after I accomplished some really unusual resolutions, like eating pork 4-5 times per week.  I thought, might as well do something really noteworthy before trying to get a 4.0 in vet school.  And come to think of it I made tough decisions in the right order.  Pork has protein which helps build muscles (and I’ll need that brain muscle in vet school)

As a side note, if you are hoping to lose weight, remember that there are six cuts of pork that are considered lean by the USDA and that a pork tenderloin is leaner than a boneless, skinless chicken breast!   Adding protein to your diet is an important way to control hunger cravings and make sure that you aren’t losing muscle mass in the process of losing weight.

Good luck!

Do you have a bunch of candy from Halloween?  Maybe you over estimated the amount of trick or treaters that would visit your house or your children were really, really excited to collect candy this year, but your cupboards are overflowing with chocolate. 

Ohio.com has a few recipes to help you get rid of some of that candy.  They decided to feature our Heartland Honey Mustard Pork Medallions from OhioPork.org. 

HEARTLAND HONEY MUSTARD PORK MEDALLIONS
1 lb. pork tenderloin
2 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. Dijon mustard, country-style
2 tbsp. olive oil, divided
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 cup crushed pretzels
Salt and pepper

Slice tenderloin crosswise into 8 pieces. Flatten each piece slightly.

Combine the honey, mustard, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon coarsely cracked pepper in a resealable food storage bag. Add the pork medallions and turn to coat. Let stand 30 minutes. Remove the pork from the marinade and dip both sides into the crushed pretzels to coat.

Heat the remaining oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork and cook for about 3 minutes on each side, until internal temperature reaches 155 degrees on a meat thermometer.

Makes 3 to 4 servings.
— Adapted from Ohio Pork Producers Council

If you need some more recipes check out Ohio.com or Ohio Pork Producers Council!

What’s your favorite candy?

I can’t believe that October is over half way done!  You only have a few more days to print out the $2 coupon from the Ohio Pork Producers Council for any fresh pork product. 

If you don’t know what to make with that pork you bought using the coupon, take a look at these recipes.  They taste delicious and are a great way to celebrate Pork Month!

Tenderloin:

Pork Fajitas (New Recipe!)

Coupon Geek’s Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

Pork Chops or Pork Loin:

Pineapple & Mango Salsa Pork Wraps

Italian Pork Hoagie

Pork Butt:

(Nearly) Intoxicating Pulled Pork Sandwich

Ever had the urge for a pork tenderloin sandwich, but didn’t want to leave the comforts of your home to go in search for this sandwich.  Coupon Geek has the perfect option for you!  Go and check out the easy step by step directions to making the perfect pork tenderloin sandwich and impress your family.  They may never want to go out to eat again!