THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 29, 1996 TAG: 9605250054
SECTION: FLAVOR PAGE: F1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Morsels
SOURCE: Ruth Fantasia
LENGTH: 60 lines
THIS LITTLE PIGGY went to market. But unlike the other piggies, this one wore a Lean Generation Pork label.
After two years of local chefs serving up Smithfield's new leaner pork products, the average Hampton Roads resident finally gets a crack at cooking them. The pork is now available at Farm Fresh stores in various cuts and premarinated convenience packs.
Just one thing: Buy a good meat thermometer when you pick up the pork. You're going to need it.
Because Lean Generation Pork has less fat than other pork products - up to 60 percent less - it cooks quicker than regular pork. And dries out quicker. Overcook this meat and you'll end up with shoe leather.
``People have to learn to pull lean pork out of the oven when it reaches 150 degrees,'' says Jonna Glaser. ``If you let it rest for five or 10 minutes the internal temperature will reach 155 degrees by serving time.''
It's not unusual for Lean Generation Pork to be served on the rare side; in fact, it's preferable. Pink doesn't mean undercooked pork any longer.
Another thing consumers will have to learn to do with Lean Generation Pork is use different kinds of cuts. The loin cuts, for example, do not have enough fat in them to withstand long cooking times. A chart below gives guidelines.
Fruit-spread mix
If you like the taste of homemade jams but don't like all that sugar, you may want to try new Fresh Blends fruit spread mix from Kraft.
This new pectin mix is easy to use. Place the fruit in a blender, combine Fresh Blends and boiling water, pour over fruit and pulse a few times. Pour into plastic containers, let set for two hours and you're done.
Fruit spreads prepared with Fresh Blends contain about half the calories of homemade jams.
One package makes three cups of spread and costs about $1.99.
Kill fridge odor
If your refrigerator has fragrances you'd rather forget, pick up Glade's Refrigerator Neutralizer. This handy little plastic box absorbs odors for up to 90 days, according to the manufacturer, SC Johnson Wax.
We tried it in the office refrigerator and it has worked for a week. Maybe it will do the trick for you. One neutralizer costs about $1.89. Look for it with the air fresheners.
Breyer's combos
Feeling self-indulgent? Try one of Breyer's new Blends. It's Breyer's Ice Cream combined with a name-brand treat such as Reese's Pieces, Hershey Bars with Almonds or Sara Lee Fudge Brownies.
But you really have to deserve this one. Breyer's Blends cost $3.89 per quart or $2.49 a pint. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo from Smithfield Packing by CNB