Archive for the ‘Main Dishes’ Category

We all know salt is an essential nutrient, but too much of it can cause you to puff up like a toad frog. Not to mention, the more serious concern of high blood pressure that can lead to heart attacks and stroke. Moderation is important, but it’s difficult to control salt intake if we’re buying products cram packed with the stuff.

So when I was contacted about trying Boar’s Head lower sodium products as part of the Lower Sodium Challenge, I was willing to give it a try. Mainly because Boar’s Head deli products are our family’s favorite. It’s a bummer that it’s only available in a few local grocery stores, but it’s worth the extra distance to get good deli meat. Another reason to try some lower sodium options? Combined with the heat and maybe, just possibly, a little too much salt lately, my ring is a bit snug. And that doesn’t feel so good, ya know?

The low down? I was sent a $25 gift card to try out some of Boar’s Head lower sodium products. Around here Saturday is a big sandwich day, so I stocked up on some Boar’s Head lower sodium roast beef and a few other sandwich fixins for lunch. We made a simple roast beef sandwich with crispy lettuce, tomato, purple onion and some horseradish. Love me some horseradish y’all.

It was a tasty sandwich, no doubt. I could tell the roast beef was lower sodium, but then again, I wonder if I didn’t know it was lower sodium would I have been able to tell? The lower sodium content helped accentuate the flavor of the roast beef instead of covering it up with salt and other additives.

Next I’m planning on trying the lower sodium Boar’s Head oven roasted turkey and ham with my kids sandwiches. I’ll feel much better packing lunch boxes that contain less salt. And I really don’t think they’ll notice the difference.

Now, it’s your turn…

Would you like to join the Lower Sodium Challenge and try some Boar’s Head lower sodium products for yourself?

Boar’s Head is providing a Shake It Up Kit for one winner, which includes a $25 Boar’s Head Gift Card, a Boar’s Head condiment kit, and a Launch Your Assault on Salt guide. Just leave a comment telling me your favorite sandwich combo you want to try first with lower sodium Boar’s Head deli products, or choose one from these lower sodium recipe ideas from Boar’s Head.

One winner will be chosen from comments received before Wednesday, August 25, midnight PST. Winner will be announced sometime on Thursday, August 26.

I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to more and more no puffy toad frog days. Have a tasty week!

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We have a winner! The winner of the Boar’s Head Shake It Up Kit is…

Constance who said… “Toasted ham, gruyere and dijon on a baguette.”

That sounds yummy Constance. I’ll be contacting you about your prize details. Thanks everyone for stopping by to share your sandwich ideas. Good stuff!

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(I must let you know that Boar’s Hand kindly sent me a $25 gift card for the purchase of Boar’s Head products as well as providing the “Shake It Up Kit” for one hungry winner. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. I just like Boar’s Head.)

Pasta is one of my weaknesses. This Bacon and Tomato Capellini is no exception. It’s another recipe that I found over at Tasty Kitchen. The recipe is simple, with basic ingredients, full of flavor, and it’s an easy dish to prepare for a large group – a good alternative to standard spaghetti.

You’ll find a full recipe tutorial that I guest posted over at Tasty Kitchen. Stop by and check it out!

Have a tasty weekend!

School is back in session. And after a week of getting back into routines, running around for last minute supplies and school meetings, by the time supper rolls around, something quick and easy is certainly welcomed.

Recently I received some recipes from Hormel^® along with coupons to try their Always Tender^® pork tenderloins. Pork tenderloin is a regular menu item in our home. They’re simple to prepare, and lean too. Perfect for those nights when everyone (including me – especially me) is pooped, and just wants to eat supper and chill.

So when the recipes arrived I was interested to see what they had come up with, and was happy to find a wide variety of recipes to satisfy any taste bud. I scanned the recipes from Hormel^® and decided to try the Spicy Asian Peppercorn Tenderloin. With a few simple ingredients and a tasty peppercorn flavored tenderloin, supper was on the table in no time.

I began with a mix of a few ingredients. This one, chili pepper garlic sauce, has a spicy kick that’s just fine with me.

Good stuff.

Just whisk all the ingredients together.

The Hormel^® recipe instructed to coat the tenderloin with the spicy mixture, and then use it to baste the tenderloin during baking. I didn’t want to mess with basting (I like to break the rules like that), so I just coated the pork tenderloin in the spicy mixture, put in on the baking sheet, and poured a little more of the mixture over the tenderloin before baking.

That’s it. Nothing complicated. Nothing time consuming.

Served alongside rice and some sugar snap peas, the pork tenderloin was a no fuss meal perfect for a tasty end to a busy day.

Check out this recipe and many more at Hormel^®‘s recipe site where you’ll find a wide variety to choose from.

How would you like to try Hormel^® Always Tender pork tenderloins?

Just leave a comment telling about your favorite pork tenderloin recipe, or choose one from Hormel’s recipe files. One person will be chosen to receive $20 worth of Hormel^® Always Tender^® or Natural Choice^® product coupons to create their own deliciousness at home. Winner will be chosen and announced Monday, August 23, 2010 from comments received before 12 midnight PST, Sunday, August 22, 2010.

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We have a winner!

Eliana who said… “Hmmm – I am a huge pork lover especially when it’s seasoned in a way that will pack a big punch.  This one loks excellent.”

Congratulations Eliana. I’ll be contacting you about your prize.

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(Hormel® sent me product coupons and recipes so I could try their Always Tender^® pork tenderloins, as well as providing the product coupons for one lucky and hungry reader. No other compensation in any way was paid for this post.)