Old South Coca-Cola Pork is a popular Southern-style dish made with pork and Coca-Cola as the main ingredients. While it may be enjoyed for its taste and cultural significance, it’s important to note that this dish is typically high in calories, sugar, and sodium, and may not offer significant health or nutritional benefits. Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients and their potential impact:
1. Pork: Pork is a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. It provides essential amino acids necessary for building and repairing body tissues. However, the nutritional profile can vary depending on the cut and preparation method. Pork is also known for its high fat content, including saturated fat, which should be consumed in moderation to maintain heart health.
2. Coca-Cola: Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink that contains high amounts of sugar and calories. Regular consumption of sugary beverages has been linked to an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dental problems. It’s important to note that the sugar content in Coca-Cola may contribute to the overall sweetness of the dish.
While the dish itself may not offer significant health benefits, there are ways to make it slightly healthier:
1. Choose lean cuts of pork: Opt for lean cuts of pork, such as tenderloin or loin, which have less fat compared to fattier cuts like bacon or ribs.
2. Moderation: Enjoy Old South Coca-Cola Pork in moderation, as part of a balanced diet. This means controlling portion sizes and not making it a frequent indulgence.
3. Pair with nutritious sides: Balance the meal by serving the pork with a variety of vegetables, whole grains, or a fresh salad. This can help increase the overall nutritional value of the meal.
4. Homemade preparations: Consider making your own version of the dish to have better control over the ingredients used. You can experiment with reducing the sugar content, using sugar-free or lower-sugar alternatives, and adding herbs and spices to enhance flavor without relying solely on sugary ingredients.
Remember, it’s always important to prioritize a well-rounded and varied diet that includes a wide range of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats to meet your nutritional needs.
Old South Coca-Cola Pork
Ingredients:
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 cup Coca-Cola
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup ketchup
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon dry mustard
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon thyme, crushed
5 pounds pork loin roast, boned
Directions:
-Combine all the ingredients except for the meat, to form a marinade. Set the pork roast in a plastic bag with a zip-type seal, pour in the marinade and seal the bag. Set the plastic bag in a serving bowl large enough to steady the roast and keep the marinade ingredients from spreading away from the roast.
-Let stand for 24 hours or overnight in the refrigerator, patting and turning the bag every few hours to ensure the meat marinates evenly. This helps the roast absorb the marinating liquids and creates a tender, juicy and flavorful roast.
-Remove roast from marinade and discard the marinade. Place roast, fat side up, on rack in roasting pan. Insert roast meat thermometer so the bulb is centered in the thickest part. Do not add water. Do not cover. -Roast in a slow 325 degree preheated oven until the thermometer registers to 175 degrees. Allow 30 to 40 minutes per pound for roasting, so for a 5 pound loin roast, you would be roasting for about 2-1/2 to 3 hours. During last 1/2 hour of cooking time, brush on the glaze. If you prefer, you can just as easily cook on the grill or in the smoker. Remove from the oven and out of the pan onto a platter; cover with foil tent to seal steam and rest the meat 15 minutes before slicing and this results in a much juicier roast. NOTE: Alternatively, you can slow-roast. Instead of roasting at 325, use a slow oven at 250 – 275 degrees, and allow almost twice as long. The meat will be even more tender. Use your meat thermometer or whatever means you like to achieve desired doneness.
Coca-Cola Sauce:
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
2/3 cup Coca-Cola
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
-Mix together all ingredients in sauce pan; simmer and stir to thicken. -Brush or spoon glaze on meat frequently during cooking. You can also serve any remaining sauce with the sliced pork if you like.