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Friday, April 30, 2010

Weekend Cooking: Can This Really Be Weight Watchers?


Weight Watchers works - no doubt about it! Just over ten years ago, I lost 25 pound and became a lifetime member. But (and you knew there was one coming), somehow those pounds have managed to creep back on again. Luckily I'm tall and have more area to distribute the extra weight. Still, it's time to address the issue....

I've started walking, but may ramp things up by joining the "Y" and attending WW meetings. In the meantime, some Weight Watchers recipes are appearing on the weekly meal plan. We'll see how it goes for the month of May before deciding on more drastic measures!

This cardamom-orange tenderloin is my new favorite pork recipe. Every member of the family liked it, and I'll definitely make it again. Although I'd heard of cardamom, I didn't have it on hand (warning - the little bottle was pricey). You can read more about the spice here.


Cardamom-Orange Pork Tenderloin

1 1/2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (1 pound) pork tenderloin, trimmed
1 large navel orange

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees

2. Combine first 5 ingredients in a small bowl, rub spice mixture over pork. Place pork in an 11 x 7 baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 425 degrees for 22 to 25 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160 degrees (slightly pink) or desired degree of doneness. Cover dish, and let pork stand 5 minutes.

3. While pork cooks, grate rind from orange to measure 1 teaspoon; squeeze juice to measure 1/3 cup. Transfer cooked pork to serving platter, reserving drippings in dish. Add rind and juice to drippings, scraping dish to loosen browned bits. Cut pork into slices. Pour sauce over pork slices

3 points for 3 ounces of pork plus 1 tablespoon sauce

From Weight Watchers Five Ingredient 15 Minute Recipes (specialty magazine from Oxmoor House)

Note: I doubled the recipe (still used and 11 x 7 pan), so there would be leftovers for lunch.

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10 comments:

Beth F said...

This sounds heavenly and I love cardamom -- I have it whole and ground in my spice rack. We love pork tenderloin, so I think this is going to be a must-try for me.

Margot said...

I can't believe this is only 3 points. It looks yummy. We love pork tenderloin too but cardamon is one I haven't used. The magazine sounds good. I'm going to have to see if I can find it. Good luck with your food and exercise plan.

Anonymous said...

It looks really good! Unfortunately I don't eat meat, otherwise I'd try it! (Trying to lose some weight too).

Good luck with the dieting!

caite said...

I am another fan of pork tenderloin...so easy, so fast...and this sounds like a great way to cook it. {copying this one to my recipe file..}

Kim said...

Kudos to you and anyone who tackles weight problems! Among friends I've noticed W Watchers seems to be the best for keeping it off. Even tho I have slender in my genes, getting older means keeping an eye on the whole thing. Just shoot me on the day I'm ever told I can't have bread!

P.S. Because I am in the petite range, I have to tackle the beginnings of Osteoporosis. Any suggestions other than weight bearing execises and doing the gym thing, which I do. I'm not interested in a Rx for the next 30-40 years.

Esme said...

This looks good-you should also try Denise Austen's Daily Dozen. I reviewed it last week -her meals are quite tasty and work.

JoAnn said...

Beth F - This was my first recipe using cardamom, but I'm going to be on the lookout for more. Hope you like this recipe as much as we do.

Margot - The 3 points is for three ounces, but I'm thinking the portion shown in the photo is more than 3 ounces.

Gnoegnoe - Thanks. This always seems to be the time of year I get more serious with diet and exercise.

Caite - Hope you like this one. It's both simple and delicious!

Kim - Lucky you with slender in your jeans! I really just need to get back with the WW program - it's the best. Gym, weight-bearing exercise, and a calcium supplement are the things I know of to help prevent osteoporosis.

Esme - Thanks. I'm off to check your review of Denise Austen's Daily Dozen.

Esme said...

JoAnn-her recipes are not only delicious but quite easy to make-the only complaint I have is that you will end up with lots of left overs and she keeps the dishes varied-I adapted with quinoa/brown rice and would substitute them if I had left overs.

I am posting a pasta dish tonight from her book. I tell you I have no cravings for sweets and my clothes are fitting much looser. Give it a try and let me know how it goes. This week I did not do any exercises as I was quite sick-but no weight gain back.

Anonymous said...

WW is a great way to lose weight. Plan on joining again after I have the baby. This looks yummy!

JoAnn said...

Stacybuckeye - I'm definitely a fan of WW. I joined the first time because I didn't lose all the baby weight (and there was a lot more with twins!)... it really works.