BLT Skewers With Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce

BLT SKEWERS WITH BLUE CHEESE DIPPING SAUCE

FOOD AS MEDICINE:

Pasture-raised pork is an excellent source of B vitamins and is high in anti-inflammatory, heart healthy and cancer-fighting omega 3 fatty acids as well as CLAs. Pork is also an excellent source of the amino acid tryptophan, usually associated with our Thanksgiving turkey, which the body uses as a precursor to serotonin. The Greek yogurt in the blue cheese dipping sauce adds a probiotic punch that also supports serotonin production, as more than 80% of the body’s serotonin is manufactured in the gut!

INGREDIENTS:

For the skewers:

½ pound pasture raised pork belly, cut thick

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp sea salt

¼ tsp black pepper

1 pint cherry tomatoes

1 head romaine or butter lettuce, chopped into bite sized chunks

For the blue cheese dipping sauce:

½ cup Greek Yogurt

Juice of ½ lemon

1 clove garlic, minced

2 oz blue cheese, crumbled

1-2 Tablespoons water or milk, as needed to thin

Toothpicks or small skewers, for assembly

Note: If avoiding dairy, these would be delicious with our Green Goddess Dressing as a dip! 

DIRECTIONS: 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Season the pork belly on both sides with paprika, salt and pepper. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until crispy, depending on thickness. Remove the pork belly from the pan and place on paper towels to drain.

While the pork belly is cooking, make the blue cheese sauce. Place the Greek Yogurt, lemon juice and garlic in a small bowl and stir to combine. Stir in the blue cheese crumbles. Add water or milk as desired to thin. Set aside in the fridge while you assemble the skewers.

Once the pork belly is cooled, cut into 1 inch chunks. Assemble each skewer with a piece of lettuce, pork belly and one cherry tomato. Serve with the dipping sauce.

Note: You may also use a thick cut of nitrite-free pasture-raised bacon of your choice and skip the step of seasoning the pork belly. 

Makes about 8 servings of 3 skewers each

Nutrition facts serving: 191 Calories, 17g Fat, 3g Carbohydrates, 5g Protein

Listen to our podcast on why not to break up with bacon and how it can actually be a health supporting food!

Check out our blog post on ketosis and how you can eat fat to get lean!