Game Changer

I did something tonight that I almost never, ever do.

I deviated from my meal game plan.

Originally, I was going to make a lovely salmon meal, but then I came across a BOGO pork cutlet deal at the local market. And I always love a BOGO! That got me thinking about said salmon, and my complete and utter lack of desire for it tonight. So I changed it up, quickly found a recipe (in the same cookbook) for pork, and away we went. The salmon has been shelved for another week.

I really don't have anything else to say. How's the weather in your neck of the woods? This song will make you feel all warm and sunny. One of the best songs ever. EVER.

Breaded Pork Chops
Source: 500 Low Sodium Recipes, by Dick Logue

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 1/2 c. low-sodium bread crumbs (used whole-wheat unsalted)
• 1 tbsp parsley (skip)
• 1/2 tsp sage
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp white pepper (skip)
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp cayenne

Heart healthy ingredients: cayenne, sage, thyme

Directions:

• Moisten chops with water. Combine bread crumbs and spices in a plastic bag. Add chops and shake until evenly coated. Spray a baking sheet with veggie oil spray. Place chops on sheet and spray chops with spray.
• Bake at 350 degrees until done, approx. 20-30 mins, depending on thickness of chops.

Yield: 4 serving
Per chop: 315 cals; 20g protein; 21g fat (8g sat, 9g mono; 2g poly); 11g carb; 62mg sodium

Mushroom Rice
Source: 500 Low Sodium Recipes, by Dick Logue

Ingredients:

• 8oz sliced mushrooms
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp minced onion
• 1 tbsp dried parsley (skip)
• 1.5 c. uncooked rice (used brown)
• 2 c. low-sodium chicken broth (used no-salt added)
• 1-1/3 c. water
• 1/4 c. dried milk powder (WTF? Skip and added a teeny bit of 1 percent at the end)

Directions:

• In a large skillet, saute the mushrooms in butter until brown. Add the spices and rice and continue cooking until the rice begins to brown, stirring occasionally.
• Add the chicken broth and water; cover and return to a boil. Lower heat and simmer until rice is tender and liquid absorbed, about 20 mins.
• Stir in the milk powder (again - WTF?!).

Yield: 6 servings
Per serving: 111 cals; 4g protein; 4g fat (2g sat, 1g mono); 15g carb; 52mg sodium

We also had asparagus and the boys gnawed on some Alexia rolls.

Reviews:
Much like my mood tonight - the dinner was meh. Good. Not great. Not bad. Just OK. I think we all felt the same way. I added low-sodium bbq to my pork chops. I liked the rice more than the boys liked it. The overall prep was a cinch.

Of course, the more I listen to "Dear Prudence" the better I feel. Seriously - doesn't that song just put you in such a good mood? How can it not?
Ranking:
Two forks