Pork might be “the other white meat” but it gets a pretty low rotation in the meal planning at our house. I was raised to cook the heck out of any cut of pork to eliminate even the slightest hint of pink. Thorough? Yes. Tasty and tender? Not so much.
But guess what? In May, 2011, the USDA validated what all Food Network chefs were already telling us: the temperature guideline for pork loins, chops and roasts have been reduced from 160 degrees to 145 degrees F, with a three-minute rest. While the finished product may be a bit more pink than most of us are used to, it will yield a juicy, flavorful roast that is totally safe to eat! (Note: Ground pork should be cooked to 160 degrees.)
With that information, it’s safe to say that pork is coming back into the Hamilton household! To make it even better, October is National Pork Month, and Costco is celebrating! My favorite warehouse store is featuring a different cut of pork each week of the month and offering up great deals to make it great time to buy pork. From October 3 through October 9, shop at Costco and get $2.50 off boneless pork chops and roasts!
Later this week, I’m going to be featuring a pork chops recipe that my family came up with — a fabulously easy dinner that’s perfect for busy families. Plus, I’ll be giving away a $25 Costco Cash gift card to one lucky winner.
In the meantime, check out “In The Warehouse”, Costco’s feature page that’s currently providing excellent recipes and tips for serving up a featured cut of pork. Check back weekly for informative new details on Costco’s featured cuts of pork.
his post is part of a campaign with Costco, the National Pork Board and The Motherhood. I am receiving a stipend for my participation, and opinions remain my own.
