Menu planner: Your guests will want more servings of zesty shrimp with garlic and tomatoes

Thinking ahead to your next few meals? Here are some main dishes and sides to try.

SHARE Menu planner: Your guests will want more servings of zesty shrimp with garlic and tomatoes
Recipe0325.jpg

Zesty shrimp with garlic and tomatoes.

Gwynn Galvin, SwirlsOfFlavor.com

Garlic herb roast pork

Makes 8 servings

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: about 30 minutes; standing time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds boneless pork loin center roast

4 cloves garlic, crushed

1 teaspoon coarse salt

1 tablespoon minced fresh sage, or 2 teaspoons dried

2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary, or 1 teaspoon dried

3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon olive oil

Heat oven to 450 degrees. Pat pork dry with paper towels; place in shallow roasting pan. In small bowl, stir together garlic, salt, sage, rosemary, pepper and olive oil to make a paste. Rub paste over all surfaces of pork loin; place in oven and roast for 15 minutes. Lower oven temperature to 300 degrees and roast for another 15 to 20 minutes or until internal temperature is 145 degrees. Remove from oven, tent loosely with foil and let rest 10 minutes before slicing to serve.

Per serving: 171 calories, 20 grams protein, 9 grams fat (49 percent calories from fat), 3.1 grams saturated fat, 1 gram carbohydrate, 51 milligrams cholesterol, 270 milligrams sodium, no fiber.

Carb choices: 0.

Salsa verde chicken

Makes 6 servings

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 7 hours

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds trimmed boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut into chunks)

1 (1-ounce) packet less-sodium taco seasoning mix

1 (16-ounce) jar salsa verde

Chopped cilantro and diced avocado for garnish

In a large bowl, combine chicken and seasoning mix; toss to coat. Arrange in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Spoon salsa verde over chicken. Cook 7 hours on low. Garnish with cilantro and avocado.

Per serving: 227 calories, 25 grams protein, 9 grams fat (37 percent calories from fat), 2.4 grams saturated fat, 8 grams carbohydrate, 141 milligrams cholesterol, 575 milligrams sodium, no fiber.

Carb choices: 0.5.

Lentil and vegetable stew

Makes 14 1-cup servings

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 8 to 9 hours on low

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups dried lentils

3 cups water, plus 1/2 cup if needed

1 small acorn squash (about 1 1/4 pounds), peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces

2 cups no-salt-added or regular marinara sauce

1 medium green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 medium baking potato, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 small onion, chopped

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 (10-ounce) package frozen cut green beans

1 tablespoon olive oil

Combine lentils and 3 cups water in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. In a large bowl, combine squash, marinara sauce, bell pepper, potato, onion and garlic; mix well. Add to slow cooker. Cook on low 7 hours; add green beans and oil. If too thick, stir in additional water. Cook 1 more hour or until lentils and vegetables are done.

Per cup: 131 calories, 8 grams protein, 1 gram fat (9 percent calories from fat), no saturated fat, 24 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 56 milligrams sodium, 5 grams fiber.

Carb choices: 1.5.

Chicken-tabbouleh toss

You’ll need 2 cups cooked diced chicken (from a rotisserie chicken or other cooked chicken) and 2 cups tabbouleh from the deli. Toss them both with a ranch salad kit, using half the salad dressing. Mix in some toasted chopped walnuts. Serve with whole-grain rolls.

Ham provolone and pineapple melt

Spread one side of 8 slices whole-grain bread with 1/2 teaspoon butter each. Place 4 slices bread, buttered side down, on griddle. Add 4 thin slices provolone cheese, 4 well-drained pineapple rings and 4 thin slices ham. Add second slices of bread, buttered side up. Cook at medium 3 to 4 minutes per side or until bread is toasted and cheese is melted.

Zesty shrimp with garlic and tomatoes

Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a 1 1/2-quart baking dish, combine 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp with tails, 1 pint grape tomatoes (halved lengthwise), 1 packet (3/4-ounce) zesty Italian salad dressing mix, 1/4 cup dry white wine, 4 tablespoons melted butter, 1 tablespoon chopped garlic and 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt; toss ingredients. Bake 20 minutes or until shrimp are pink and cooked through. Serve over angel hair pasta. Add sugar snap peas and baguette.

The Latest
Cowboy hats, bell-bottoms and boots were on full display Thursday night as fans lined up for the first of his three sold-out shows.
The incident occurred about 3:40 p.m. near Minooka. The horse was successfully placed back into the trailer, and the highway reopened about 40 minutes later. No injuries were reported.
The Hawks conceded the game’s only two goals within the first seven minutes and were shut out for the 12th time this season in a 2-0 defeat Thursday.
Eileen O’Neill Burke is leading Clayton Harris III, 50.15% to 49.85%, a margin that changed only by hundredths of a percentage point, after city and suburban officials tallied more mail-in ballots Thursday.
Suspect Romeo Nance’s son witnessed the shooting of at least five relatives, according to Joliet police reports obtained through a public records request. The reports also indicate the child’s mother was more deeply involved in the case than first thought.