Fresh, fast, flavorful meals for back-to-school season

(Family Features) The start of each school year brings new routines for families to adjust to, which can leave little to no time to think about dinner. With the right ingredients, however, it’s still possible to create a healthy, home-cooked meal in a matter of minutes, allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time at the dinner table catching up on the day’s events.

Cookbook author, actress, designer and mom of two Haylie Duff knows a thing or two about juggling her family’s busy schedule on top of her own. When it comes to getting a fresh, fast meal on the table, she looks for easy meal helpers that help cut down on time, but not on flavor, that she can feel good about feeding to her family, like Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork. It’s conveniently pre-seasoned, packed with protein and can be grilled, roasted, sauteed or slow-cooked – making it a versatile dinner solution for any night of the week.

For your next weeknight meal, try Haylie Duff’s recipes for Tomatillo, Pineapple and Bacon Pork Tacos or Pork Gyros with Fresh Tzatziki, which feature a few simple ingredients and can help you make dinner in a matter of minutes.

Find more time-saving tips and fresh, flavorful weeknight dinner ideas for the whole family at SmithfieldRealFlavorRealFast.com.

Tomatillo, Pineapple and Bacon Pork Tacos

Recipe courtesy of Haylie Duff

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Servings: 6

• 1          Smithfield Applewood Smoked Bacon Marinated Fresh Pork Loin Filet

• 2          tablespoons olive oil, divided

• 1          fresh pineapple, peeled and cut into 1-inch thick slices

• 1          teaspoon taco seasoning blend

• 12        white corn tortillas

• 1-2       radishes, chopped

• 1          jalapeno, seeds removed and thinly sliced

• 1          bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

• 1          cup (4 ounces) crumbled queso fresco

• 1          jar (16 ounces) tomatillo salsa (salsa verde)

1. Cut pork loin filet into 1-inch cubes. Bacon will fall off, but make sure to keep it.

2. In large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Saute half the pork cubes and bacon bits 7-8 minutes until browned. Repeat with remaining oil, pork cubes and bacon.

3. Heat grill to medium at about 400° F. Sprinkle pineapple slices with taco seasoning; grill until char marks appear, turning once. Cut into 1-inch pieces.

4. Place tortillas on grill until warm. Top tortillas with pork loin filet cubes, pineapple, radishes, jalapeno, cilantro and queso fresco. Serve with tomatillo salsa.

Pork Gyros with Fresh Tzatziki

Recipe courtesy of Haylie Duff

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 16 minutes

Serves: 8

• 1          Smithfield Slow Smoked Mesquite Marinated Fresh Pork Loin Filet

• 2          tablespoons olive oil, divided

• 8-12     Greek pita breads, warm

• shredded romaine lettuce or arugula

• chopped tomatoes

• crumbled feta cheese

• 1          cup tzatziki sauce

1. Cut pork loin filet in half lengthwise and thinly slice. In large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Stir-fry half the fresh pork loin filet 7-8 minutes until browned; set aside. Repeat with remaining oil and pork slices.

2. Layer warm pitas with shredded lettuce, pork slices, tomatoes and feta. Top with tzatziki sauce.

SOURCE:
Smithfield