Staying on Track with Healthy Eating

Meat serves as one of the main sources of protein in the diets of many Americans, and choosing lean meats helps you boost your protein intake healthfully. Pork tenderloin is a great lean-meat option, providing a lower-fat alternative to other cuts. Consume pork tenderloin, and you'll introduce more vitamins, minerals and other nutrients into your diet. 

Need to get dinner on the table? Here's a flavorful new twist on chili from the University California Extension at Berkeley. The green in this traditional Southwestern recipe comes from a delicious and potent combination of scallions, chilies, jalapeño and cilantro.

Green Pork Chili

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound pork tenderloin, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 5 scallions, thinly sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (4½ ounces) chopped mild green chilies
• 2 canned or bottled jalapeño peppers, minced
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 can (15 ounces) hominy, rinsed and drained
• ½ cup chopped cilantro
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Directions

1. In a nonstick Dutch oven or flameproof casserole, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook until browned, about 4 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the pork to a plate.

2. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the scallions and garlic and cook until the scallions are tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the mild green chilies and jalapeños, and cook 1 minute.

3. Return the pork to the pan. Add the coriander, oregano, and salt, stirring to coat. Add the water and bring to a boil. Add the hominy and ¼ cup of the cilantro. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until the pork is tender, about 20 minutes.

4. Stir in the remaining ¼ cup cilantro and the lime juice just before serving.

Makes 4 servings.

Nutrition per serving: 270 calories, 9g total fat (2g saturated), 74mg cholesterol, 5g dietary fiber, 20g carbohydrate, 26g protein, 710mg sodium.

A good source of: niacin, riboflavin, selenium, thiamin, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin B₆, zinc.