Description
A delicious dish featuring marinated pork tenderloin cooked in apple cider, paired with creamy mashed sweet potatoes.
Ingredients
Scale
- Pork tenderloin (1.5 pounds): Trimmed and cut into medallions.
- Apple cider (1 cup): For marinating and cooking.
- Onion (1 medium): Sliced.
- Garlic (3 cloves): Minced.
- Olive oil (2 tablespoons): For searing.
- Thyme (1 teaspoon): Fresh or dried.
- Salt (to taste): For seasoning.
- Pepper (to taste): For seasoning.
- Butter (1 tablespoon): For added flavor in the sauce.
- Cornstarch (1 tablespoon): For thickening the sauce (optional).
- Sweet potatoes (2 large): Peeled and cubed.
- Butter (2 tablespoons): For creaminess.
- Heavy cream or milk (¼ cup): For smoothness.
- Salt (to taste): For seasoning.
- Cinnamon (¼ teaspoon): Optional, for added warmth.
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the pork medallions with ½ cup of apple cider, minced garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Let it marinate for at least 15-30 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for more flavor).
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the cubed sweet potatoes and cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain the sweet potatoes and return them to the pot.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the pork from the marinade, reserving the marinade for later. Sear the pork medallions in the hot skillet for about 3-4 minutes on each side until browned. Remove the pork from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until softened. Pour in the reserved marinade and the remaining ½ cup of apple cider. Bring to a simmer. Return the pork to the skillet. Cover and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the pork is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 145°F or 63°C). Optional: If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of water to create a slurry and stir it into the sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until thickened. Stir in the butter for added richness and flavor.
- Add butter, heavy cream (or milk), salt, and cinnamon to the drained sweet potatoes. Mash until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Plate the mashed sweet potatoes and top with the apple cider pork. Drizzle with the sauce from the skillet and garnish with fresh thyme if desired.
Notes
- For an extra depth of flavor, let the pork marinate longer if time permits.
- Use freshly grated cinnamon for a more vibrant flavor.
- This dish pairs well with a light salad or steamed vegetables.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg