Pork Sirloin Steaks

I love meals that are plain and simple to make yet still yield delicious results. I have a few of these that I like to rotate through each week. They are favorite menu items that can be tweaked in ways that give refreshment to their flavor so they never get old. For example, using a different cut of meat each time presents a different texture and introducing a new spice or marinade opens a plethora of possibilities. Keeping the intent simple provides ample room for experimentation.

Taste in Bloom Original Photo

Difficulty: Easy; Serves: 4; Total time: 15 mins

Taste in Bloom Original
Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless pork sirloin steaks or pork chops; or 4 bone-in center cut pork chops 
• 1 1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter
• salt & fresh ground black pepper

Preparation:

Melt butter over medium heat in a heavy cast iron or nonstick skillet. Allow the butter a few more seconds to get hot.

Meanwhile, pat pork dry with paper towels and generously sprinkle both sides with salt and fresh ground black pepper.

I served these with Fried Apples, 

Place pork chops in the hot skillet and cover, cooking for 3-4 minutes until browned. Turn pork over and repeat for the other side until done. If you are using thinly sliced boneless pork chops, skip the cover and just sear the chops on each side for about 3 minutes. If they are thickly sliced and you prefer them medium rare, skip the cover and sear each side about 4 minutes.

Experiment with different cuts of pork if you like. You can also try rubbing some dried thyme, sage and paprika on the pork for some variety.

Weeknight Chili

Some days, you just need a hot meal that is easy, quick and can be made in one pot. Well, here you go: a one-pot, weeknight chili. Just like many of the recipes I post here, this concoction is also versatile. You can use shallots instead of onion and garlic; yellow, orange or green bell pepper or yellow squash instead of zucchini; or ground turkey instead of ground beef. While I don't usually add beans to this chili, you can add black beans and red kidney beans for a heartier version. When you serve, melt your favorite cheese on top and scoop it with chips. This chili is also great for chili dogs.

Taste in Bloom Original Photo

Difficulty: Easy; Serves: 4; Prep time: 10 minutes + 20 (up to 45) minutes cook time

Taste in Bloom Original

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced.
• 1 medium bell pepper or zucchini
• 3 Tbsp chili powder
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1- 14.5oz can of diced tomatoes (try fire roasted)
• beef stock (opt. to taste if your chili is thicker than you like)
• 1-2 cans of beans of your choice, drained (opt.)

Preparation:

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. 

Combine ground beef, diced onion and minced garlic together in the large pot and cook until the beef is browned.

Add the seasonings: chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper and stir until combined. Stir in diced tomatoes and bell pepper or zucchini and beans, if using. Reduce heat to a simmer.

If at this point the chili is a little thicker than you like, stir in beef stock, one tablespoon at a time, until the chili reaches the desired consistency. Simmer for 20 minutes or up to 45 minutes, covered just so a little steam can escape.

Tuna Salad

There are lots of ways to prepare tuna salad. You can mix it with mayonnaise, salt and pepper. You can add celery to the mix and even some chopped up hard boiled eggs. My favorite way to make tuna salad is to throw in some celery, onion powder and dried fruit. It is very satisfying for lunch, snack or any old time of day. I eat the tuna salad right out of the bowl. Sometimes I like to scoop it onto half an avocado. It's also delicious on half a cored apple. And if you like, it's great on your favorite sandwich bread.

Taste in Bloom Original Photo

Difficulty: Easy; Serves: 2; Prep time: 10 minutes

Adapted from *Primal Blueprint Quick & Easy Meals
Ingredients:

• 2 - 6oz cans tuna packed in water
• 2 stalks of celery, diced
• 1 tsp onion powder or 1/4 cup red onion, diced
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise, or more to taste
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries or dried cherries

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients together in medium bowl. Serve as you'd like.