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Wednesday, February 22, 2012
 
 

Cooking Quick Facts

Cooking Know-How

If you are wondering about how you should cook your favorite pork product, look no further. Learn how to sauté, broil, braise, grill (using direct and indirect heat), roast, and stew your favorite pork dish.

Click here to view a quick reference chart about the above methods of cooking, the different cuts, thickness or weight, final internal temperature (°F), and total cooking times for your favorite pork dish.

But remember pork is very lean and should not be overcooked. The best test of doneness is to use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your pork. We recommend cooking pork chops, roasts, and tenderloins to 160°F, which leaves the center juicy. Less tender cuts, like pork shoulder (butt), and ribs, can be cooked slowly to render them tender.

To further familiarize your cooking techniques with cuts such as lean tenderloin, meaty ribs and savory bacon to moist pork shoulder, click here to download charts with step-by-step instructions to help you prepare deliciously tender pork every time.  You'll also find a list of tools you'll need to be pork-prepared.

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"How to" Pork Videos

Need to know "How to" carve a ham, make ham and cheese muffins, make baby back ribs, cut a pork loin, grill with direct and indirect heat, or how to use that meat thermometer?

Well you can find out "How to" do it just as easy when you watch these video tutorials! There's many more videos to help guide you through the easy process of cooking, grilling and everything else you can do with the versatile pork product!

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Cooking Today's Lean Pork

When cooking today's lean pork, there are a few things to be aware of to get the best possible flavor.

Click here for some cooking times and temperatures. Also a few meal ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the Health Conscious!

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Cooking Method: Grilling

There are two ways to grill pork based on the size of the cut:

  • Direct heat, where food is placed directly over the heat source, is ideal for small cuts like kabobs, tenderloin, burgers and chops.
  • Indirect heat, where food is placed on the grill rack away from the coals or gas burners, is good for large cuts like loin roasts, ribs, shoulder and fresh ham.

COOKING BASICS:
Direct Heat

Arrange hot coals evenly on the fire grate of the grill or use all gas burners. Place pork directly above the heat source. Follow suggested cooking times, turning once during cooking.

Indirect Heat

Bank hot coals on both sides of the fire grate, on one side of the grill or in a ring around the perimeter. For gas grills, pre-heat and then turn off any burners directly below where the food will go. Place pork on the grill so it is not directly over any coals or gas burners and close grill hood. Follow suggested cooking times until pork is done. The heat circulates inside the grill, so turning the pork is not necessary.

 

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Pork Recipes in 15 minutes or LESS!

Sometimes you want a savory breakfast dish, other times an elegant dinner entrée. Or, maybe a quick meal for a weekday evening is what you need or a menu suggestion for a holiday or special celebration. Luckily, The Other White Meat has a place in all kinds of palate-pleasing dishes. Search for that perfect pork dish by browsing the The Daily Pork’s meal and food categories and beat the blahs for good!

Click here to download easy to use recipes!

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Quick Fixin's

So, What's for supper? Whether you're in a hurry or have time to spend in the kitchen, pork offers a variety of delicious options.

Use the quick fixin's guide to help decide what cut will make the most of your meal.

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Holiday Cooking Ideas

Winter is the season for many family and friend gatherings and lots of food!

Here are some great holiday pork ideas brought to you by www.theotherwhitemeat.com

Click here to view recipes for: Apple & Cornbread-Stuffed Pork Loin w/Roasted Apple Gravy; Apricot Glazed Ham; Bacon Wrapped Pork Chops w/ Seasoned Butter

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Cooking Quick Facts | Holiday Cooking
Copyright 2010 Nebraska Pork Producers Association