Carolina Living
Hearty Winter Dishes Pecan toppings put a tasty twist on classics Seeking comfort from the cold with a wholesome meal is a perfect way to cap off a day with loved ones. When brisk winter temperatures chill you to the bone, warming up with hearty dishes at the family table can bring everyone together. Both dishes call for pecans, which are among the lowest in carbs and highest in fiber compared to other tree nuts. As a nutrient-dense powerhouse, they have three grams of plant-based protein and three grams of fiber per one-ounce serving with 12 grams of “good” monounsaturated fat and only two grams of saturated fat. Pecans also provide essential nutrients like thiamin, zinc, copper and manganese. For additional pecan recipes, visit americanpecan.com. You can find North Carolina growers that sell pecans locally and online at gottobenc.com. —FamilyFeatures.com
Mac and Cheese with Pecan Breadcrumbs This Mac and Cheese is an extra creamy, creative twist on the kid-friendly classic. 8 1 1 ½ 15 4 1 ¼ 1
ounces cavatappi pasta* tablespoon butter block (8 ounces) cheddar cheese cup raw pecan pieces ounces part-skim ricotta cheese tablespoons sour cream teaspoon salt teaspoon ground pepper large egg, lightly beaten
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In salted boiling water, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta cooking water. Return pasta to pot and stir in butter.
Using box grater, shred cheddar cheese. Using food processor, process ¼ cup shredded cheese with pecans to coarse breadcrumb consistency. Add remaining cheddar cheese, ricotta, sour cream, salt and pepper to warm pasta. Stir until thoroughly combined. Add egg; stir. Add reserved pasta water to loosen mixture; stir until smooth. Pour into buttered 9-inch square or round casserole dish and top evenly with pecan topping. Bake 30 minutes. Yield: 6 servings *Note: You can substitute in equal amounts elbow macaroni in a pinch, or gemelli pasta, which, like cavatappi, has a twisted shape.
Pecan-Crusted Pork Tenderloin Full of seasonal flavors, this PecanCrusted Pork Tenderloin is an easy, yet elegant, entrée. 1 pork tenderloin (about 1½ pounds) Salt, to taste Pepper, to taste ½ cup brown sugar, divided 2 tablespoons soy sauce, divided 2 teaspoons minced garlic ½ cup pecan pieces ¼ cup pineapple juice 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard Preheat oven to 400 degrees and lightly grease large baking dish. Season
pork tenderloin with salt and pepper, to taste; set aside. In small bowl, stir ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce and minced garlic. Spread mixture over pork. Press pecan pieces into brown sugar mixture on pork. Bake, uncovered, 20 minutes. In medium saucepan over mediumhigh heat, combine remaining brown sugar, remaining soy sauce, pineapple juice and Dijon mustard. Bring mixture to boil; reduce to simmer 3–5 minutes then remove from heat. Slice pork, spoon sauce over top and serve. Yield: 6 servings
18 | February 2022
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