Let's Hear it for Pork Rinds, the 'healthy' junk food now!

[OceanDreaming]

Originally Posted by Secretly_Sweet

I know this isn't really about the fat but since you are talking about it...

What fat do we fry in?? I use olive oil now but it burns so easily. I know to stay away from Vegetable oil but what else? I really don't like to fry stuff in butter.

Lard (organic would be best), coconut/palm oil (you can get the stuff that isn't extra virgin and is less expensive), & peanut oil are what I use.

[girl81]

Originally Posted by SashimiMark

Also, microwave pork rinds do not have trans-fats. So yet again, it depends on the maker of the product, and how it is made.

I just ordered some microwave pork rinds that for a 1 oz serving has 120 calories, 3.5g fat, 370mg of sodium, 23g of protein, and no trans-fats. Doesn't sound bad to me.

The ones at my store have no trans fats either; just porkskin and salt. I think the brand is Smithfield. I will check next time I'm there.

[LindaSue]

There's nothing unreal or unhealthy about plain pork rinds. They are real food. However, I have to agree with MountainGirl about the flavored kind. It's not the pork rinds themselves that are bad though, it's the junk they sprinkle on them. I would never buy flavored pork rinds for that reason. The hot ones listed below don't look too bad though unless you have a problem with MSG. The rest is just salt and spices.

Salt & Vinegar Ingredients: Pork Skins, salt, lactose, sodium diacetate, salt, malic acid, food starch modified, corn syrup solids, acetic acid, soybean oil, citric acid, sodium citrate.

Hot Ingredients: Pork Rinds, salt, chili peppers, parika, monosodium glutamate.

[TennisBum]

A big to Pork Rinds. Plain ones with some hot sauce are wonderful!

[wifezilla]

That's the main reason I was able to convince my son to cooperate with low carb....pork rinds with hot salsa

[lisabinil]

UTZ

[SashimiMark]

I wanna make some crab rangoons using pork rinds. Basically crab meat and cream cheese formed into balls, rolled in pork rind crumbs, and then fried. I miss crab rangoons.

[wifezilla]

That sounds yummy. Let us know how they turn out.

[SashimiMark]

Will do. Probably won't make them until this weekend though.

[MI_Miami]

newbie here, hi all! can u fry pork skins to get it into pork rinds?

[SwitzBride]

Originally Posted by MI_Miami

newbie here, hi all! can u fry pork skins to get it into pork rinds?

I second this question. My dad smoked a suckling pig recently and I have a freezer bag full of it's skin. Be interesting to try. Otherwise my dogs are slowly enjoying it...

And on the secondary topic ---> thanks fawn and everyone for the information on heating fats, trans fats and stuff. It answered a LOT of questions I've had lately and by trying to find out. Especially about heating/cooking flax as long as it's still in seed/milled seed form. I've been freaking out about that one!

[Mule_Freak]

OH MAN, my one true LOVE, Plain Pork Rinds, don't want any of those flavored ones, just a bag of plain porkers and a big ol' Apple and I am truely {Pun intended} in Hog Heaven

[TheDogAteMyName]

I actually felt sick after reading about the microwave pork rinds. Regular pork rinds are ok for breading, but I can't eat them plain. I haven't used them for anything this time around. I don't like them anymore. However, as a child I loved them. Strange.

[thebarnhearts]

I just used mine to dip into this concoction i made with taco meat shredded cheese and salsa. Just pop it in the microwave for a minute great dip!

[afuentes]

Originally Posted by MountainGirl

Well said. That's what I've been trying to get across.

And that is all SashimiMark was trying to say too.

[wifezilla]

newbie here, hi all! can u fry pork skins to get it into pork rinds?

I tried to fry some up a couple of weeks ago and it was a disaster. I did find this recipe though....

Chicharrones recipe (pork cracklings)
courtesy of Cocina Cubana/ Preston Pittman / Sonia Martinez
2 lbs pork rind or skin [trim most of the fat and discard]
1 tsp salt
2 cups water
Cooking oil for deep fat frying
Cut pork rind into 2-inch squares. sprinkle with salt, spread on cookie
sheet in one layer and bake in a 250 F oven for 3 hours.
Cool and set aside in covered jars until ready to use. When needed, pour
oil to about 1/3 the depth of the pan. Heat 5-8 minutes on medium high
heat. Fry pork rinds until they puff up [about 3-5 minutes].
Drain and serve with a dipping sauce which is a mixture of 2 Tbsps
vinegar, 1/8 tsp salt and 1 clove crushed garlic. [Dash of black pepper
optional.]
Serves 6

I think it sounds promising

[dointhis4me]

I pork rinds! I don't eat them so much anymore but they were what saved me many times when I first stated LCing.

[AllieCat0817]

Originally Posted by lisabinil

UTZ

I am SO ORDERING THESE PORK RINDS (snack packs)!

[Sandi76]

It's the Utz that I got in the huge tub at Sam's. When I lived in St.Louis, I couldn't find them, but here on the East Coast Utz is everywhere. They ingredients if I'm not mistaken is pork skin and salt.

[AllieCat0817]

I wonder if Costco has them..

[dointhis4me]

Check Amazon, they normally have the tubs and if your order is over $25 shipping is free and there is no tax. I usually get my orders the next day even with the free shipping!

[AllieCat0817]

Yeah cuz that site was $9 shipping so I cancelled my order.

[dointhis4me]

Just checked, they had them but shipping was still $9.99 for 2 tubs

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

Originally Posted by LindaSue

They're just pork skins fried in fat and sprinkled with salt. What processing? They're just cooked. What additives and chemicals? You can't get much more real than pork rinds for a snack food.

Sams sales a brand that is exactly as you say, Linda. Yes, its Utz made in PA.

[Gladsome]

Once I found out that "These puffy snacks are literally cut from pigskin" I honestly haven't been able to eat them!

[Tooter]

Originally Posted by JONAH'S GRANNY

Sams sales a brand that is exactly as you say, Linda. Yes, its Utz made in PA.

Isn't EVERYTHING made in Pa? I live in PA, and I think we are the capital for food factories. lol

[SashimiMark]

Hmm, I wonder if my local Sam's Club carries them. I have a BJ's Wholesale Club membership, but I think a friend of mine has one to Sam's.

[Gr82bthin]

Yes, you have to read labels! I had to search for pork rinds that did not have extra chemicals in them before I would buy them. I enjoy them for a snack because I love the crunch. It seems the flavored ones have the extra added chemicals.

Thank you all for your opinions!