Best metabolism boosting foods - Part 9 (end)

9. Pork

A diet rich in lean protein mixed with moderate exercise will have you on your way to building more muscle. Increased muscle mass allows your body to burn more calories, even while you’re sleeping or sedentary. Don’t be afraid to stray from chicken, there are lots of sources of lean protein and pork is a great go-to alternative.

Comment:  I like pork, especially a tenderloin which is lean and when seasoned well is simply delicious.  I just need to work on that exercise part that goes with it.

I Didn't Know That - Pork Tenderloin

Pork tenderloin is the most tender cut of pork (In beef, it's what is called filet mignon.)  At the butcher shop or grocery store, choose pork that's pale pink.  The older the animal, the darker the meat.  It should have a bit of marbling and white, not yellow fat.  When you get the meat home, remove it from the package.  Exercise care as with any uncooked meat and wash everything that touches it.  Refrigerate it, wrapped loosely in fresh plastic or wax paper for no more than 2 days.

Now did you know this?

When a recipe says to allow the meat to "rest" it means to delay cutting the meat for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven.  During this time, the juices settle into the meat fiber.  Without this resting period, the juices run out too freely when the meat is cut and some of the flavor leaches away.

Also, a tinfoil tent keeps the meat from cooling too much while it rests.  In a pinch, if you don't have tinfoil, make a tent from a torn-open paper bag.

Pork Tenderloin Au Jus

My idea for this dish came to me when I found that I had a package of McCormick Recipe Inspirations.  The recipe on the package was actually for apple pork chops but I decided to "Think With My Taste Buds" and create something different using the herbs/spice included in the package.  And I couldn't have chosen a better piece of meat to work with than the pork tenderloin.  It picked up all of the flavors, it was juicy and tender and my kitchen has had a wonderful smell all day. View my recipe by going to Martha's Recipe Cabinet.