Apple and Pork Stir-fry with Ginger

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. peach jam, preferably fruit sweetened

2 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce

2 Tbsp. water

1/2 tsp. cornstarch

1 1/2 tsp. dark toasted sesame oil

1 Tbsp. finely minced fresh ginger root

1/2 pound (8 ounces) pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips

1 1/2 tsp. canola oil

1 cup chopped red bell pepper

1 cup chopped green bell pepper

1 cup chopped yellow bell pepper

1 can (8 ounces) sliced water chestnuts, drained

2 firm apples, such a Fuji or Gala, cut into one-inch pieces

1/2 cup scallions, thinly sliced

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 cups steamed brown rice or whole wheat angel hair pasta

Directions:

In small bowl, combine jam, soy sauce, water and cornstarch. Set aside. In large, non-stick skillet, heat sesame oil over medium high heat. Add pork and ginger and stir-fry until pork is browned and just cooked through, about 3-5 minutes. Transfer pork and ginger to bowl with slotted spoon. Add canola oil to skillet. Stir-fry peppers, with water chestnuts, and apples until peppers are crisp tender, about 3 minutes. Add pork back to skillet along with scallions. Stir-fry 30 seconds. Add jam mixture. Continue to stir-fry 30 seconds to one minute, or until sauce thickens. Season to taste with black pepper. Serve over brown rice or whole wheat pasta.

Makes 4 servings. Per serving: 355 calories, 8 g. total fat, (2 g. saturated fat), 55 g. carbohydrates, 17 g. protein, 10 g. dietary fiber, 345 mg. sodium.

–From the American Institute for Cancer Research

Santa Fe Sunset Dip

Ingredients:

3 oz. sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil)

2 (7 oz.) jars roasted red peppers, drained

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 tsp. ground cumin, or to taste

1tsp. fresh lemon juice, or to taste

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1/4 cup scallion, chopped

4 oz. reduced-fat Neufchatel cream cheese, softened

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Dash of Tabasco or hot chili pepper sauce (optional)

Directions:

Soak sun-dried tomatoes in hot water (enough to cover) for about 5 minutes. Drain well, reserving 3 tablespoons of the soaking liquid.

In a food processor, puree red peppers, drained sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, cumin, lemon juice, cilantro and scallion until smooth.

Add the cream cheese and puree again, adding enough of the reserved liquid to thin the dip to the desired consistency. Blend until smooth. Add the black pepper and hot sauce, if using, to taste.

Transfer the dip to a covered container and refrigerate up to 24 hours before serving. Serve with assorted cut vegetables or whole-wheat pita bread.

Makes 8 servings (2 Tbsp. each) Per serving: 80 calories, 3 g. total fat (1.5 g. saturated fat), 10 g. carbohydrates, 4 g. protein, 2 g. dietary fiber and 380 mg. sodium.

From the American Institute for Cancer Research

Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 bag (10 oz.) unsweetened frozen strawberries

2 fresh kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced

1 container (8 oz.) strawberry nonfat yogurt

1 tsp. almond extract

Fat-free milk (optional)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender and whirl until desired consistency is reached. If thinner consistency is desired, continue blending and add milk one tablespoon at a time until desired thickness is reached.

Makes 4 servings.

Per serving*: 110 calories, 0 g. total fat, 26 g. carbohydrates, 3 g. protein, 2 g. dietary fiber, 30 mg. sodium.

*Note: Nutritional analysis is based on regular sugar-sweetened yogurt. Yogurt made with no-calorie sweetener may yield a slightly different analysis.

–From the American Institute for Cancer Research

Papaya, Chicken and Pecan Salad

Ingredients:

1 cup water

1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts

4 cups torn romaine lettuce

1 medium papaya (about 1 1/2 cups), halved, seeded, peeled and cubed

1 cup red pepper strips (about 1 large pepper)

2 scallions, sliced (about 1/4 cup)

2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

1 tsp. honey

1 garlic clove, minced (about 1/2 tsp.)

1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard

11/2 Tbsp. olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1/4 cup pecan halves, toasted

Directions:

Bring the water to a boil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet. Add the chicken breasts and return to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook for about 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate, cover and cool in the refrigerator.

Meanwhile, in a large salad bowl, combine the lettuce, papaya, red pepper and scallions. Set aside.

In a smaller bowl, whisk together the vinegar, lime juice, honey, garlic and mustard. Slowly add the oil and whisk until well-blended. Add the salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.

Cube the cooled chicken into bite-sized pieces and combine with the dressing. Add the chicken and dressing to the salad greens and toss. Top with toasted pecans and serve.

Makes 4 servings. Per serving: 210 calories, 11 g. total fat (1.5 g. saturated fat), 13 g. carbohydrates, 15 g. protein, 4 g. dietary fiber, 135 mg. sodium.

From the American Institute for Cancer Research

 

Picadillo

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 lb. ground extra lean beef

1/4 cup sherry (optional)

1/2 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/8 tsp. salt

pinch ground red pepper

1/4 cup raisins

1 cup diced fresh or canned pineapple

1 16-oz. can crushed tomatoes

1 medium green bell pepper, chopped

1/4 cup chopped pimiento or red bell pepper

Directions:

In large skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef, onion and garlic. Cook until onion is tender and meat is no longer pink and juices run clear. Drain off fat.

Add remaining ingredients except green pepper and pimiento. Bring to simmer and cook five minutes. Add green pepper and pimiento and heat through. Service with rice and bread.

Serves 4. Per serving: 324 calories, 14 g. total fat, 6 g. saturated fat, 70 mg. cholesterol, 282 mg. sodium, 3 g. dietary fiber, 27 g. carbohydrates, 24 g. protein.

From Healthy Hispanic Recipes by the National Cancer Institute