SANDRA'S PORK TENDERLOIN with a BALSAMIC GLAZE and side of WILTED SPINACH

Written By admind Monday, March 1, 2010 Add Comment Edit

Serves: (4)
Prep: 10 mins. |
Cook: 20 mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

1-1/2 lbs. pork tenderloin
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon peanut oil (has a high smoking point)
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon firmly packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (10 oz. package) fresh spinach
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar (or cider vinegar)
1 tablespoon honey

METHOD

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Trim pork of excess fat or sinewy membrane. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Heat a large non-stick oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat on stove top, place pork tenderloin in skillet. Sear each side to brown entire surface. Remove meat from pan, setting it aside on a plate. Add balsamic vinegar to skillet, stirring to scrape any cooked bits from bottom. Reduce heat to medium; stir in brown sugar; mix well to make a glaze. Return tenderloin to skillet; spoon glaze over meat.

Place skillet in preheated oven to roast for 20 minutes (155 degrees on thermometer). Remove pork from oven; tent with foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing in to 1” thick slices. [Note: temp. on thermometer will continue to rise 10 more degrees while resting]. (Reserve pan juices for drizzling over top of pork when serving, as in photograph.)

Meanwhile, make the fresh-wilted spinach. Mix in a small bowl the water, red wine vinegar, and honey, then set aside. Heat oil in a medium non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions; cooking for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add spinach, tossing continually to combine. Add water, vinegar, and honey mixture from small bowl; cooking 2 more minutes just until spinach begins to wilt, while tossing frequently with tongs.

Immediately arrange a serving of spinach on each serving plates, and place pork slices alongside with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. - Enjoy!

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Tip: Feel free to serve with your choice of starch, i.e., potatoes, rice, etc.