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Gluten Free Pork Medallions with Caramelized Onions and Apples Recipe

This is part two of Paleo on a Budget. Part one (in the March/April 2017 issue) discussed tips on how to save money by making your own staple ingredients like salad dressings, marinades, and taco seasoning. Now I am going to focus on meal planning, food shopping, gardening, and prepping.

Meal Planning and Prep: Plan your week ahead. Check your calendar and make note of any weeknight activity. For instance, if Charlotte has a volleyball game at 6:50 p.m. on Thursday, we need to eat early and something quick and light (no one needs a kid throwing up on the court). Make the meal plan on one side of the paper and the shopping list on the other side. I often break it up into the different stores, depending on needs, like produce or bulk items.

Prep Ahead: This may include slicing meat and placing in a marinade before sticking in the freezer, dicing vegetables for snacks or dinner, etc. Try to make a family event out of it. Put on some music or a football game and get it done. It will save you hours during the week when time is most precious.

Keep it simple: Trying recipes that appear complicated end up, well, complicated. Don’t stress yourself out buying 50 million ingredients for one recipe that will sit in your pantry until the next zombie apocalypse.

Grow your own: I’m not saying you need to start an urban garden to feed the masses, even though it may seem just as daunting. I had never gardened until I moved from New Jersey to Iowa. Each year, we get a little better, grow a little more, and learn from both our successes and failures. Seeds are an extremely affordable way to begin, with little or no money investment other than the seeds themselves.

Start small: Begin with a tomato or pepper plant in a planter; this also holds true in residences with little or no yard. Kale is one of the hardiest plants I’ve ever grown. It can continue to grow from June through October and just a couple of stalks makes more than enough for a family.

Grow herbs: Have you ever looked at the price of fresh rosemary at the supermarket and your eyeballs popped out of your head? Yeah, me too. You need very little space or skill to grow herbs both indoors and outdoors all year round.

You don’t have to be fancy: If you can’t afford grass-fed beef, it’s OK. Really. I promise. There are no Paleo police to hunt you down even though sometimes it may feel like it. Don’t let the idea of being “perfect” effect your dedication to feeding your family the best you can.

Skip the Paleo “treats”: Many of the Paleo baked goods recipes (muffins, brownies, etc.) are made from high-cost ingredients. Consider them as they are – treats.

5 from 1 vote
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Print Recipe

Gluten Free Pork Medallions with Caramelized Onions and Apples Recipe

Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time35 mins
Total Time45 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 590kcal
Author: AndreAnna McLean

Ingredients

  • 1 1½-pound pork loin ($3.69/lb), 1½ = $5.54
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or dairy-free butter ($2.69/lb), 1 oz = $0.17
  • 2 large sweet onions, sliced ($0.79/ea), 2 = $1.58
  • ¼ cup gluten-free beef stock $1.98/32 oz, 2 oz = $0.12
  • ¼ cup apple juice $2.77/97 oz, 2 oz = $0.06
  • 2 large crisp apples such as Gala, diced ($0.68/ea), 2 = $1.36
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds  $1.33/0.6 oz, 0.17 oz = $0.38

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Slice the pork loin into 1-inch-thick slices. Quickly sear both sides of the pork medallions in a skillet on high heat until brown.
  • In another saucepan, melt the butter on low. Add onions and cook until caramelized and brown, stirring frequently.
  • Place the pork in a baking dish and cover with beef stock and apple juice. Top with caramelized onions, apples, and caraway seeds. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.

Notes

Total recipe cost = $9.21 for 6 servings, or $1.54 per serving.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Gluten Free Pork Medallions with Caramelized Onions and Apples Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 590 Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 6g30%
Cholesterol 240mg80%
Sodium 242mg10%
Potassium 1593mg46%
Carbohydrates 18g6%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 12g13%
Protein 83g166%
Vitamin A 150IU3%
Vitamin C 8.1mg10%
Calcium 46mg5%
Iron 2.4mg13%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Disclaimer: All nutrition facts on Gluten Free & More are meant only as a guide and may differ depending on product brands used or ingredient substitutions. Some errors may occur, so you are encouraged to confirm the recipe’s ingredient and nutrition suitability for your own diet.
Have you tried this recipe? Give it a star rating and let us know your thoughts in the Ratings & Reviews section below.
Tags: Apples Dinner Gluten-Free Gluten-Free Recipes Magazine Onions Optionally Dairy Free Pork
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