Dinner: Country style pork ribs, potato and salad

This is a delicious dinner I had this weekend. Yes, that’s a marvelous thing about Weight Watchers – I can eat homemade barbecue without guilt and it’s deliciously fabulous.

Country style pork ribs were on sale at a local grocery store, so I picked up a pack. Since I was going to be gone for the better half of the day, I asked my mother if she wouldn’t mind making some ribs (she makes the best ribs, BTW). She agreed, so she whipped up a batch – typically she boils them with vinegar, water and an onion and then bakes them off in the oven with some barbecue sauce. Usually it’s a homemade sauce, but she decided to use Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce.

I requested that she leave my ribs aside (after baking for a few minutes) for me to pull the meat off the bone, separate the fat and mix with barbecue sauce. I ended up getting two meals out of it.

What I had for dinner was 3 oz country style pork ribs (off the bone) w/ sweet baby rays bbq sauce (7 ppv), 5 oz potato (3ppv) & side salad w/ 1 tbsp light italian (0 ppv). It was a delicious 10 points plus and worth every point!

QUESTION:

Do you like having barbecue for dinner?

Trader Joe’s Fully Cooked Season Pork Roast with Barbecue Sauce

When it comes to barbecue I am a full-on barbecue pork fan. Ribs, chops, you name it its delicious because barbecue is meant to be delicious. I don’t really go into the beef barbecue rib realm because in my opinion, pork barbecue is where it’s at. Admittedly I don’t always have the time to make barbecue (outside of in my crock pot for pulled pork/chicken). So that’s where Trader Joe’s Fully Cooked Season Pork Roast with Barbecue Sauce steps in.

I originally purchased this many, many moons ago to try out because it sounded tasty and the picture on the bag looked tasty. What caught my attention was that the pork roast is already cooked and in barbecue sauce – all that I needed to do was heat it up in the oven. I will say since trying this, it has been a repurchase for me on numerous occasions.

The pork roast itself is meaty, tender and flavorful. There are a few pieces of fat that run through it, but it’s nothing overwhelming – you can truly see it, pull it out and you’re good to go. The barbecue sauce is a ideally what a barbecue sauce should be.  For comparison purposes, I’d probably compare it to a Sweet Baby Ray’s but it’s not as tangy.  The meat itself is very tender where you can shred it with a fork.  It’s definitely a homerun in my opinion.

A 5 ounce serving (with sauce) is 225 calories or 6 points plus values.

QUESTION:

What is your favorite barbecue food?

Homemade Pulled Pork (Crock pot)

One kitchen device I have grown to love is undoubtedly my Crock pot!  It simplifies life, makes meals all on its own (well, with a little assistance from myself) and I can come home from work or running errands all day and dinner will be ready.  I’ve changed up this recipe using chicken and pork tenderloin – both of which are fabulous. I love BBQ meals and pulled pork (and pulled chicken) are two of my favorites.  Growing up my mother spoiled us making homemade pulled pork that she’d roast overnight and because of that it made me very picky going out to eat to get pulled pork.  This of course doesn’t trump my mothers, but its Weight Watchers Points Plus friendly, simple, filling AND it’s delicious.

Serves 10-15.  Serving size: 3 ounces.  4 Points Plus Values.

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds lean pork loin (extra fat removed)
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 can tomato paste
• 1 pack Crockery Gourmet Barbecue Seasoning Mix (if you cannot find this, McCormick sells a barbecue ribs packet)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• Water (use the amount on the Barbecue Seasoning mix packet)

Trim the fat off your pork loins and set them into the bottom of the crock pot.

Cover pork loins with sliced onions and minced garlic.

In a bowl mix together the Crockery Gourmet Barbecue Seasoning Mix, tomato paste and water.  Stir until combined and pour the sauce over the top of the onions and pork loins.

Cover with a lid and cook for 6-8 hours on low or 4-5 on high.

Before serving, remove the pork loins from the crock pot and shred with two forks. Place shredded meat back into the barbecue sauce and stir to coat all meat.

This recipe goes great with homemade garlic bread and homemade coleslaw (see here: http://shannonslifestyle.blogspot.com/2013/05/coleslaw.html)

Trader Joe’s Barbecue Popped Potato Chips

I picked these Barbecue Popped Potato Chips up at Trader Joe’s simply because I have this thing about trying popped chips by all different brands.  I find the consistency of the chip is the same (texture, etc.) but the flavors vary vastly company to company.  Some companies carry very unique flavoring, some carry typical staple flavorings but each has a different nitch in the flavor category.

I’m a fan of Popchips.  I have been since the brand came out – I can’t say I’m a fan of all the flavors I’ve tried, but they’re a great healthier alternative to greasy potato chips.  I’m a crunchy snacker.  If it’s got a crunch to it, I will find it and I will have to try it.  Or if you’re in a room with me and you’re crunching, I may have to investigate to find out what it is you’re crunching. Sensory triggers, gotta love it.

These retail for right around $2 at Trader Joe’s which is a fair price in comparison to competitors.  Flavor wise?  I have to say these take the cake.  Hands down, these are the BEST barbecue flavored popped chips I have had to date.  They are a true barbecue flavor.  Not too sweet, not too tangy, not too spicy – just right.  It’s very smooth on the palette, not overly salty, no aftertaste, no additional sweetness or heat just a very great classic barbecue flavor.  I absolutely loved them and will definitely be buying another bag on my next trip to Trader Joe’s.

Serving size is 20 chips or 28 grams if you prefer to weigh them (to get a more accurate serving size).  Points plus wise these will only cost you 3 points.  Not bad at all.  Definitely a homerun.

QUESTION:

What is your favorite popped chips flavor?