This dish feels fancy but is a cinch to put together. A sweet sauce of frozen cherries with a splash of heart-healthy red wine brings a touch of luxury to a simply cooked lean pork tenderloin. Cherries, packed with vitamin C and polyphenols, have been shown to have effects on heart health, including reduced oxidative stress, inflammation, and blood pressure levels.
Temperature check
Pork can dry out quickly if overcooked, so to ensure flavour, as well as safety, it’s important to use a meat thermometer to test doneness. Pork can be consumed safely at an internal temperature of 145 F (63 C).
The US Department of Agriculture recommends a rest time of at least 3 minutes after the meat has been removed from the oven. When measuring temperature with a meat thermometer, make sure that you’ve removed the meat from the heat source before placing the thermometer in the thickest part of the meat.
Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Cherry Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 pork tenderloin, about 1.1 lbs (500 g)
- Scant salt and pepper
- 2 tsp (10 mL) Dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp (15 mL) fresh sage
- 1 Tbsp (15 mL) ground almonds or hemp hearts
- 1 cup (250 mL) frozen cherries
- 1 tsp (5 mL) honey
- 1/4 cup (60 mL) dry red wine
- 1/4 cup (60 mL) low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 sage leaf
- 1 cinnamon stick
Nutrition
Per serving:
- calories204
- protein25 g
- total fat7 g
- sat. fat2 g
- total carbohydrates7 g
- sugars5 g
- fibre2 g
- sodium125 mg
Directions
01
Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C).
02
Season pork with salt and pepper. With pastry brush, apply mustard to outside of pork.
03
In oval platter or dish, mix sage and ground almonds or hemp hearts and roll pork in mixture to coat.
04
Roast pork on baking sheet for 15 to 20 minutes, or until an inserted meat thermometer registers an internal temperature of 145 F (63 C). Remove pork from oven and allow to rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
05
While pork is cooking, in shallow skillet, combine sauce ingredients and cook over medium-high heat until reduced by half and mixture becomes thick and syrupy. Set aside, keeping it warm, but not hot.
06
To serve, slice pork in 1/2 in (1.25 cm) slices, arrange on serving platter, and pour sauce overtop.
READ THIS NEXT
SEE MORE »
Supersalad with Sprouted Quinoa, Beans, and Roasted Veggies
A satisfying plant-based dinner or packed lunch, quinoa and beans add filling protein, while greens, cucumbers, roasted veggies, and a probiotic-rich dressing bring texture and flavour. Try it with a creamy plant-based cheese on top, or goat cheese for non-plant-based eaters. Mix and match Use this recipe as a guideline. Add in your go-tos such as chopped walnuts or hemp hearts, pitted sliced dates, roasted cauliflower, and crumbled feta (plant-based, if desired).
Curried Coconut Lentil and Rice Porridge
Brown rice and two varieties of lentils cook in one pot with broth, coconut milk, and simple spices. Nourishing spinach and sweet green peas bring this meal to life. It’s true sunshine in a bowl for those cold winter nights. Main grains White basmati rice, short-grain brown rice, quinoa, or millet can be used in place of the brown basmati rice. Try a mixture of grains for added nutrition and taste (e.g., millet and basmati rice, quinoa and millet, and so on).
Sheet-Pan Sprouted Tofu, Mushrooms, and Potstickers with Bok Choy
Sprouted tofu and mushrooms soak up a delicious tamari marinade before being baked along with prepared vegan potstickers and bok choy. A tasty sauce, sesame seeds, and a bed of whole grains to serve tie everything together. Adjust the heat level of this dish in the sauce or at the table so kids can partake. Salad swap Once cool, the tofu mixture can be served on a bed of crunchy romaine for a packable lunch that’ll spark office envy. Keep the sauce on the side and dress right before serving.
Berbere Spice-Braised Bean, Fennel, and Tomato Bowls
Canned beans are braised with cherry tomatoes, fennel, and health-boosting spices, making for a satisfying topping for whole grains, sprouted wheat pasta, or sourdough bread. A refreshing side of creamy cucumber salad makes this meal feel whole. This is a great excuse to experiment with a new-to-you spice. What is berbere? Berbere is a spice blend from Ethiopia that can include warming ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg, along with fruity coriander and cardamom, black pepper, chili peppers, garlic, paprika, cumin, and fenugreek. Grocery stores now carry the spice blend, but it’s also readily available online.