What to Cook? Try Ginger Pork Stir-Fry

An advertisement from the American Pork Council said,"Wondering what to cook? Open your cupboard and grab the first thing you see. Chances are it goes with The Other White Meat. Because from salsa to salad dressing to pineapple to peppers, most everything cooks up great with pork!"

And the Canadian Pork Council joins the rah-rah with research that explains pork's health benefits:

Vitamins Thiamin (Vitamin B1): Provides 65% of Recommended Daily Intake. Pork is one of the best sources of thiamin--necessary for the metabolism of carbohydrates. It's also essential for the growth and repair of nerve and muscle tissues and helps maintain appetite.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): Provides 22% of Recommended Daily Intake. Pork rivals milk as your best source of riboflavin. Riboflavin plays an essential role in the release of energy from food and in cell division. This vitamin also promotes the growth and repair of tissues and maintains healthy skin and eyes.

Niacin (Vitamin B3): Provides 47% of Recommended Daily Intake. Pork is chock-full of niacin, which is essential for the release of energy from carbohydrates, proteins and fats. It's also required to maintain healthy skin, the digestive tract and nervous system.

Vitamin B6: Provides 24% of Recommended Daily Intake. Choose pork as a good source of vitamin B6, which is essential for the metabolism of protein, carbohydrate and fat. Vitamin B6 also promotes normal functioning of the central nervous system.

Vitamin B12: 38% Pork is an excellent source of vitamin B12, which is only found in animal products. Vitamin B12 helps build red blood cells and ensures healthy nervous tissue. it is essential for the normal function and metabolism of all cells, and is also involved in the synthesis of genetic material.

Pantothenate: Provides 10% of Recommended Daily Intake. Pantothenate is necessary for the metabolism of carbohydrate, fat and protein. Pantothenate is also required to synthesize hemoglobin, the part of red blood cells that transports oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Minerals

Phosphorus: Provides 22% of Recommended Daily Intake. Pork is a good source of phosphorus, which strengthens bones and teeth and maintains energy balance.

Magnesium: Provides 10% of Recommended Daily Intake. Magnesium is essential for the formation of strong bones and teeth. It also transports nutrients in the body and regulates energy balance.

Iron: Provides 9% of Recommended Daily Intake. For optimal physical and mental performance, choose pork as a source of iron. Iron is critical for energy production. Heme iron (found in meat) is absorbed more readily than non-heme iron (found in vegetables, breads, cereals, fruits, eggs and supplements.

Zinc: Provides 36% of Recommended Daily Intake. Pork is rich in zinc, which is essential for the healthy development and maintenance of the immune system and bone structure. Adequate zinc status improves resistance to infections, enhances bone formation in children and young adults, and appears to protect against bone loss in older adults.

Protein

There are 29 grams of protien per 100 grams of cooked lean pork. Choose pork for protein. Protein is critical for building and repairing body tissues and producing antibodies which fight off infection. Pork contains high quality complete protein with all nine essential amino acids.

Fat

There are 7.5 grams of fat per 100 grams of cooked lean pork. It may come as some surprise, but it is important to include fat as part of you daily diet. Fat supplies energy and provides essential fatty acids necessary for normal growth and healthy skin. Fat also carries the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Pork is a source of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which may provide protection against cancer and heart disease due to its antioxidant properties.

Energy

There are 191 calories per 100 grams of cooked lean pork. Food provides energy for all body processes and muscle movement, and pork is an ideal source of food energy. Chock-full of nutrients, pork is especially important for growing children and teenagers, women, people on low calorie diets, and older adults.

And to make their point, the American Pork Council shared this easy recipe--haven't tried it, but intend to this weekend. You try it too, and let us all know what you think. You might agree--most everything goes with white. And until next time, happy cook'n!

GINGER PORK STIR-FRY (serves 4)
1 lb boneless pork loin, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
1/2 tsp ginger
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp water
1 pkg (16 oz) frozen, stir-fry vegetables

Blend soy sauce, vinegar, oil, ginger and garlic in shallow dish. Add pork; marinate for 10-15 minutes. Spray large, non-stick skillet with vegetable spray. Heat skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add pork; stir-fry for 3 min. Stir water and vegetables into mixture. Cover and cook 5 min. or until vegetables are crisp-tender.