Pork With Lentil Orange Avocado And Basil Salad Food

LOW & SLOW PORK VERDE

Steps:

• Place pork and onion in a 4-qt. slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine salsa, chiles, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, pepper flakes and cinnamon; pour over meat. Cook, covered, on low 5-6 hours or until meat is tender., Remove roast; cool slightly. Skim fat from cooking juices. Shred pork with two forks. Return pork to slow cooker; heat through. Stir in cilantro. Serve with grits and, if desired, sour cream. Freeze option: Freeze cooled meat mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Microwave, covered, on high in a microwave-safe dish until heated through, gently stirring and adding a little broth if necessary.

LENTIL AVOCADO SALAD

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium heat. Add the celery, carrots and onions, and sweat for 5 minutes while stirring. Add the lentils and cover with 2 inches of water. Stir in the bay leaf and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes. Drain and season with salt and pepper. Discard the bay leaf and cool.
• While the lentils are cooking, make the vinaigrette. Whisk together the balsamic vinegar, agave, red pepper, lemon juice and zest and some salt and pepper. Slowly stream in 3 tablespoons oil while continuously whisking. Pour the vinaigrette over the cooled lentils then fold in the diced avocado and cranberries. Pour into a bowl, garnish with the chopped parsley and serve.

QUICK LEMON-PARSLEY PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Mince lemon zest; combine in a small bowl with parsley, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Set aside.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Season pork chops on both sides with salt and pepper. Cook in skillet until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
• Add 1/2 cup water to skillet; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover, and simmer gently until pork is cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer pork chops to a platter or serving plates; drizzle with pan juices as desired, and sprinkle with lemon-parsley mixture.

AVOCADO-BASIL DRESSING

Steps:

• Put all ingredients in a mini food processor or blender and purée until smooth; add a few drops of water if you like a thinner dressing.