Worthy of a special occasion, but easy enough to pull off on a weekday, time-friendly pork tenderloin is used for a stunning plated dish to add to your winter meal plan. Roasted with a maple mustard smear, and adorning a wintery pilaf of Brussels sprouts, rice, and seasonal fruit, it’s a perfect pork dinner that will have diners reaching for seconds.
Roasting technique
Pork cooks quickly in this high-temperature roast, allowing you to skip the step of searing on the stovetop. The oven makes the crust for you.
Make-ahead
Roasted Brussels sprouts can be made up to 1 day in advance and tossed with remaining pilaf ingredients immediately before serving. Pork can be made up to 2 days in advance, but is best enjoyed cold, as reheating will make it dry.
Roasted Maple-Mustard Pork over Brussels Sprout Pilaf
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) pork tenderloin
- 2 Tbsp (30 mL) Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp (30 mL) maple syrup
- 1 lb (450 g) Brussels sprouts, shredded
- 2 Tbsp (30 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
- 2 cups (500 mL) warm cooked brown basmati rice or cooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) pomegranate seeds
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped pecans
- 1 navel orange, peeled and chopped
- 1 Tbsp (15 mL) chopped fresh rosemary, plus more to garnish
Nutrition
Per serving:
- calories455
- protein21g
- fat20g
- saturated fat3g
- trans fat0g
- carbohydrates51g
- sugars12g
- fibre10g
- sodium394mg
Directions
01
Preheat oven to 425 F (200 C).
02
Add pork to half of large baking sheet. In small bowl, combine mustard and maple syrup; spread evenly over pork. Roast for 10 minutes. Add Brussels sprouts, oil, and salt to other side of baking sheet, toss, and add back to oven. Roast until internal temperature of pork is 160 to 170 F (70 to 75 C); remove pork to plate to rest.
03
For pilaf, add roasted sprouts to bowl and toss with remaining ingredients. Add pilaf to plates; slice pork and place on top of rice. Garnish with additional rosemary and serve.
Allison Day, RHN
Allison Day, RHN, is a nutritionist, blogger, and cookbook author. Her cookbooks, Whole Bowls and Purely Pumpkin (Skyhorse Publishing, 2016), are out now. She is currently working on her third cookbook, Modern Lunch (Appetite by Random House).
READ THIS NEXT
SEE MORE »
Strawberry Carpaccio
This simple dessert celebrates the glory that is the summer strawberry. Don’t feel you have to stick to strawberries here; swapping them for ripe peaches would also make for a stunning ending to any meal. What to gild the lily with? Add a dollop of whipped coconut cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. Flower power Orange blossom water (also known as orange flower water) is produced by water distillation of the blossoms of a bitter orange tree. Just like rose water, a little goes a long way. So, take care and use just a drop or two, tasting as you go so as not to overwhelm but rather to complement the other flavours in a dish.
Greek Turkey Burger Bites
Ever thought about making burgers as an appetizer or as a potluck meal for friends and family? Try making your favourite burger into bite-sized portions. They might be small in size, but they won’t be small in flavour. These burgers also pair well with a Greek salad for a delicious mid-week lunch or dinner. Fresh is best Squeeze fresh lemon on patties while cooking to give them the fresh zing of citrus.
Italian Portobello Mushroom Burger with Artichoke Tapenade
What worldwide vacation is complete without a stop in Italy? Dad won’t miss the meat in this flavourful mushroom alternative complete with Italian spices and a zesty vegetable tapenade. Portobellos have a uniquely “meaty” texture and act as a sponge to lock in loads of flavour. This meaty plant-based burger is sure to become a favourite—even with any meat-lovers in your life. Custom-made! Don’t be afraid to customize your burger buns to fit your patties. If your bun’s too big, trim off excess and save the trimmed bits of bread, but don’t discard. Instead, cut into small cubes; drizzle with some olive oil, sea salt, and seasonings of choice; bake at 350 F (180 C) for 10 to 15 minutes, and you’ll have delicious homemade croutons for use in soups and salads throughout the week.
Asian Shrimp Burger with Bean Sprout Slaw and Fresh Mango
Next stop, Asia! This shrimp burger combines classic Asian flavours with unique toppings for rich umami flavour with the saltiness of the ocean. Whether served on a bun or over rice in a more traditional Asian-style meal, try some unique miso yogurt or wasabi mayo dressing for a fabulous flavour bomb. Keep those burgers juicy Place raw patties on a plate or tray, and cover and freeze or refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes to keep them together and to lock in moisture.