Fast & Fresh: Spicy Pork and Orange Chopped Salad

I hope you are all enjoying summer.

I can't believe that it is almost the end of June.

The magnolia trees are in bloom...

The jacaranda trees are in bloom...

I just love the summer flowers that grow around my area.  Do like flowers?  What are your favorites?

Today's entry is another Fast & Fresh idea.

I mentioned the other day how MGG loves salads.  Well I eat them a lot too, but when I make a "main dish" salad I usually like to put protein in it.  It helps keep me full, gives the salad interest, and it's tasty and healthy.

Let's review what Fast & Fresh recipes are:

"Fast & Fresh"

Simple ingredients

Fresh and healthy

Easy prep

Delishhhh taste!

This salad is just perfect.  It's also unique in that it isn't your normal everyday salad.  The flavors are spicy.  Do you like spicy food? Hope so.  The spice comes from the Chinese 5 spice that flavors the pork, and the wasabi soy almonds that are used for garnish.  If you don't like spice leave out the spicy almonds for sure (sub regular ones instead), and possibly substitute an Asian seasoning blend for the Chinese 5 spice.  

Oh! and I mentioned pork didn't I??  Yep, pork.  But a nice lean pork tenderloin.  Just go grab yourself a small one from Trader Joe's and cut off enough for a quick stir fry in your skillet.  Nothing fancy.  I've found that Trader Joe's is the perfect place to get a small pork tenderloin at a great price, as the grocery stores around here carry ones that are HUGE and cost a fortune.  If you don't care for pork, substitute chicken.  It's all good.

The best combination is the oranges, and the pork.  A little sweet, spicy, the coleslaw mix lends some crunch as do the almonds.  All together you've got one interesting and tasty salad.

So tasty....!

Product Note:  Blue Diamond Bold Wasabi & Soy Sauce Almonds can be found next to the cocktail peanuts.  Beware...these are spicy!

Spicy Pork and Orange Chopped Salad

Adapted from Southern Living

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 pound pork tenderloin, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

2 teaspoons Chinese 5 spice

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 oranges

1/2 cup chinese chicken salad dressing

1 cup seeded and chopped cucumber

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 romaine lettuce heart, chopped

3 cups shredded coleslaw mix

1/2 cup wasabi-and-soy sauce-flavored almonds

Preparation

Toss pork with Chinese 5 spice seasoning and salt to coat. Saute pork in hot oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes or until done.

Peel oranges, and cut sections, removing any white pith. Cut slices into chunks.

Pour dressing into a salad bowl. Stir in oranges, cucumber, and cilantro. Let stand 5 minutes. Add romaine, coleslaw mix, and pork; toss gently. Sprinkle with almonds. Serve immediately.