Quick & Easy: Szechwan Pork Stir-Fry over Spinach

I love being able to take a butter-fly pork chop and turn it into this!

Serves - 2
Preparation Time - 10 minutes
Cook Time - 12-15 minutes

2 tsp sesame oil, divided
3/4 cup matchstick-size carrot strips
8 oz pork tenderloin, thinly sliced, slived halved
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp minced bottled or fresh ginger
1/4 to 1/2 tsp red pepper flatkes
1 Tblspn reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 Tblspn mirin* or dry sherry
2 tsp cornstarch
8 oz baby spinach
2 tsp sesame seeds, toasted

*Mirin, a sweet wine made from rice, is an essential flavoring in Japanese cuisine.  It is available in Asian markets and the Asian or gourmet section of some supermarkets.

1.  Heat 1 tsp oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add carrot strips.  Cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add pork, garlic, ginger and pepper flakes to taste.  Stir-fry 3 minutes or until pork is no longer pink.  Combine soy sauce, mirin and cornstarch in small bowl.  Add to pork mixture.  Stir-fry 1 minute or until sauce thickens.

2.  Heat remaining 1 tsp oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat.  Add spinach.  Cover and cook 1 minute.  Uncover and turn spinach with tongs.  Cover and cook until spinach is barely wilted, about 1 minute.  Transfer spinach to 2 serving plates.  Spoon pork mixture over spinach.  Top with sesame seeds.

Exchanges: 2 vegetables / 3-1/2 lean meat
Calories - 256                         Sodium - 466mg
   Calories from Fat - 35%     Total Carb - 11g   w/net carb - 8g
Total Fat - 10g                           Dietary Fiber - 3g
   Saturated Fat - 2g                   Sugar - [not listed - but negligible from carrots & either wine ]
Cholesterol - 73mg                  Protein - 29g

Source: Diabetic Cooking, 3 Books in 1 - Snacks, Main Dishes, Desserts, Publications International, Ltd.

Review/Suggestions:

• Don't attempt using a wok.  It cooks too hot and the sauce will immediately go past thick into a nice tasty clump.
• I just recently bought sesame oil - but the other times I just used regular cooking oil.
• To make this even easier, you can go with minced garlic from a jar.  It works when you don't have any fresh garlic.
• Baby carrots also make it quick and easy to cut into matchstick size.
• And if the other person opts out for spinach, there's always sticky rice (but only if you don't have to watch the carbs).