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Pork Crunch Salad with Strawberry Poppyseed Dressing

 Pork Crunch Salad with Strawberry Poppyseed Dressing

I think I’ve constructed a million salads in my lifetime. I feel like I’ve made every version possible, until I come up with a new one. This is especially true when the new one is over-the-top incredible!

In my household, if I want to serve salad as a meal, it must include meat. Both my husband and sons feel it’s not dinner unless meat is involved. I’m sure many of you can relate. My whole family does love a good steak salad smothered in blue cheese dressing. However, that can be a little high in calories so I tend to lighten things up a bit.

Life has to be about balance, not only when it comes to work, family, and friends, but also when it comes to eating. Moderation and flavor are key. If I withhold goodies too often, binge-eating will likely occur. However, by indulging every so often, I don’t feel the need to eat mindlessly. 

Pork Crunch Salad with Strawberry Poppyseed Dressing 3
In order to keep it all in check, I have found that the best protein to incorporate into my salads is pork tenderloin. It’s lean, juicy and tastes great at room temperature. It’s also the perfect pairing with this Strawberry Poppyseed dressing by Marzetti® Simply Dressed® refrigerated salad dressings!

When Marzetti asked me to create a recipe with one of their salad dressings, I jumped at the chance. I have always had this thing for new salad dressings and I love tasting them all. And while I often make homemade versions, I always have my favorite prepared dressings in the fridge. A good prepared salad dressing is an absolute must in my kitchen and is the greatest time saver. 

The fruity flavor of this Marzetti Simply Dressed Strawberry Poppyseed Dressing is nicely balanced with the salty blue cheese and the lightly flavored pork. It’s perfect with the almonds and chewy cherries. I just can’t describe how amazing it all tastes together. 

These refrigerated salad dressings are made with a minimal number of simple ingredients, such as extra virgin olive oil, canola oil (contains Omega-3 ALA) and sea salt. They complement any salad or meal with no preservatives, trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, added MSG, artificial flavors or colors. This product was also honored as one of the Progressive Grocer’s 2013 Editors’ Picks for innovation, taste and value.

Pork Crunch Salad with Strawberry Poppyseed Dressing 2
Lucky me, I was able to taste all the Simply Dressed flavors. There wasn’t one I didn’t feel enamored with. The color of the Marzetti Simply Dressed Strawberry Poppyseed is also very appetizing. Isn’t it pretty?

Pork Crunch Salad with Strawberry Poppyseed Dressing 1
This really is a nice salad to help spruce up wintertime. It’s bright, crunchy and full of good food.

Pork Crunch Salad with Marzetti® Simply Dressed® Strawberry Poppyseed Dressing
Serves 2-3 as a meal

1 lb pork tenderloin
salt and pepper
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 small head of romaine lettuce
2 cups 50/50 Spring/Spinach Salad Mix
4 oz blue cheese crumbles
4 radishes, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1/4 cup dried cherries
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1/3 cup Marzetti® Simply Dressed® Strawberry Poppyseed Dressing

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Prepare pork tenderloin by removing any fat and “silver skin” (white, opaque connective tissue) on the loin itself. Season generously with salt and pepper. Heat an oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Brown meat on all sides in olive oil; about 5-8 minutes. Insert meat thermometer into thickest part of the tenderloin. Leave in pan and roast until 145 degrees F is reached. When done, remove tenderloin from heated pan and let cool, about 30 minutes. Slice tenderloin into 1″ pieces.

Toss together all salad ingredients, including the tenderloin and salad dressing, serve immediately and enjoy the crunch.

Pork Crunch Salad with Strawberry Poppyseed Dressing 4
This truly is heaven on a plate, elevated by one of my newest, favorite salad dressings. I hope you can try it soon.

How will you use Marzetti Simply Dressed refrigerated salad dressings to make fresh and simple meals for you and your family?

Be sure to visit the Marzetti® Simply Dressed® brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

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Comments

  3. I started a diet on 01/05/2015 Thus far I have lost 12 pounds. I still need to drop 40 pounds. Since salads will be a daily part of my diet I will use many of the lite dressings.

    Reply

  6. I love using Marzetti dressings in pasta salads. I also like to use them as a simple marinade, too, to enhance the flavor of grilled chicken for my pasta salad.

    Reply

  21. I make pressed sandwiches sometimes with blue cheese dressing rather than mayo–usually something like buffalo spiced turkey and lots of veggies.

    Reply

  35. Sunday night I chop up a bunch of vegetables and place in the frig. Each morning I place some salad dressing in the bottom of a lunch container and then place the vegetables on top. Veggies stay crunchy and I don’t have to tote a bottle of dressing to work.

    Reply

  39. I would use the Light Raspberry Acai Salad Dressing flavor Marzetti Simply Dressed salad dressing to drizzle over a chicken salad with romaine lettuce, strawberries, blueberries, pecans and pineapple chunks for a family dinner.

    Reply

  43. We’ve been eating tons of salads and I like to use different dressings to keep it fresh and new. The light caesar looks so good we love to grill the romaine lettuce as well.

    Reply

  46. we love the variety in this line, the fresh ingredients make for amazing salad toppings and dips as well as on sandwiches. Ranch is the favorite!

    Reply

  58. Just printed out recipe for PORK CRUNCH SALAD and would use the Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing with it but also on my Bleu Cheese, Pecan, and Strawberry Salad! Yum !

    Reply

  63. My store does carry these dressings. The strawberry poppyseed makes a great dipping sauce for chicken tenders as a variation on BBQ sauce or ketchup.

    Reply

  66. I would use the dressing to marinate either a few pieces of thighs or boneless chicken breasts and or use it in a big salad with those chicken pieces, with lots of veggies, avocados, tomatoes, artichokes and scallions too..Yummeee for the tummeee..Happy Chinese New Year this feb 19, 2015 and also Happy Valentines day to a real sweetheart of a blogger, and lovely lady tooo!

    Reply

  80. Hi! I would marinade some shrimp, then cook and make a pasta salad with cheddar cubes, green onions and penne pasta. You can adapt to your taste buds, more dressing, more veggies!

    Reply

  82. You had me at ‘chewy cherries’! I love a salad with dried cherries & paired with pork I’m all in. I love the idea using this one as my salad dressing when I make a Sunday roast pork.

    Reply

  84. I want to try making some sweet/spicy boneless chicken wings at home (like we eat sometimes when we’re out) and we’ll be needing some delicious ranch dressing to dip them in!

    Reply

  95. I would love to try this salad out! I bet it tastes as good as it looks.

    I would use the Marzetti Simply Dressed Dressing in pasta salads and in wraps.

    thank you for the opportunity to win this 🙂

    lola_violets_2010{at}yahoo{dot}com

    Reply

  102. well I would love to make my HUSBAND a chicken salad ASIAN salad for me and probably chicken nuggets with dressing for the kids! believe it or not they love salad dressings on their nuggets. My crazy babies!!

    Reply

  131. I like to use Marzetti Salad Dressings as a marinade for meat and vegetables when cooking for my family. The Strawberry Poppyseed sounds like a great one to use on a summer salad with fresh strawberries and spinach from my garden.

    Reply

  134. How will you use Marzetti Simply Dressed refrigerated salad dressings to make fresh and simple meals for you and your family? I’d use as a marinade prior to grilling and also as a side for dipping vegetables !

    Reply

  141. I would use Strawberry Poppyseed and make an amazing kale salad with blue cheese, almond slices and strawberries!
    stephanievollowitz at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  153. I’d love to do something with pasta & chicken & veggies 🙂 Make a pasta salad, maybe throw in some lettuce too. I would definitely need to look up some recipes though because I’m not very creative and I know people have great ideas out there that I can use 🙂

    Reply

  162. I have seen this dressing in the grocery store but have never tried it. I think I would make a big family style salad and let everyone enjoy it!

    Reply

  192. I would use the Blue Cheese dressing to top our chef’s salad, once a week we do big salads for dinner and this dressing sounds great, I can’t wait to try it.

    Reply

  205. I eat a lot of salads and like to mix up the ingredients. Chicken is my favorite protein for salads. This dressing looks yummy.
    Thanks for the contest.

    Reply

  216. I use Marzetti Simply Dressed Pomegranate Vinaigrette to dress spinach, mango, strawberries, goat cheese, and walnuts.

    Reply

  230. I’d use Marzetti Simply Dressed Caesar dressing to turn boring leftover chicken in to a Chicken Caesar salad my whole family would love.

    Reply

  263. How will you use Marzetti Simply Dressed refrigerated salad dressings to make fresh and simple meals for you and your family?

    I’d use it as a marinade on chicken and/or steak prior to grilling this summer

    Reply

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