Moroccan Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Red Grape Couscous
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PortionsIn this recipe demo, Chef Samuel prepares pan-roasted spiced pork, paired perfectly with a savory and sweet Israeli couscous. The spicy Moroccan flavors complement the sweet fresh grapes, and the pomegranate molasses ties the dish together with its smoky, sweet and sour notes.
Ingredients
- COUSCOUS
2 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp Garlic clove, finely chopped
1 ea Onion, small dice
1 cup Red bell pepper, small dice
½ tsp Curry powder
2 cups Israeli couscous
2 cups Chicken stock, hot
½ cup Pine nuts, toasted
3 Tbsp Currants
1 cup Red grapes, halved
PORK2 lb Pork tenderloin, trimmed
1 Tbsp Moroccan Spice
¼ cup Olive oil
1 tsp Kosher salt
GARNISH2 Tbsp Pomegranate molasses, for garnish
½ cup Black grapes, halved
MOROCCAN SPICE- Yield: 1 cup
5 Tbsp Whole cardamom seeds
1 ea Cinnamon stick, or 1 Tbsp. ground
7 ea Whole cloves, or 1 tsp. ground
1 Tbsp Dried chile pepper
3 Tbsp Coriander seeds
¼ cup Cumin seeds
1 Tbsp Ground turmeric
1 Tbsp Whole white peppercorns
Directions
- For the pork tenderloin: Trim the silverskin off each tenderloin and place into a large Ziplock bag. Add the spice mixture, olive oil, and salt. Seal the bag and rub the mixture into the pork; marinate for 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- For the couscous: In a small saucepot, sauté the garlic, onion, and diced red bell pepper in the olive oil until the vegetables just start to color. Add the curry powder and cook for another minute to bloom the spice. Add the couscous and stock and bring to a simmer; cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until the grain is soft, and remove from the heat. Add the pine nuts, currants, and fresh grapes and toss to combine. Keep warm until the pork is cooked.
- To cook the pork and serve: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place a large oven proof sauté over medium-high heat to cook the pork. Drizzle with olive oil and place the marinated pork into the hot pan and sear for 4 minutes, then turn to the other side and cook for 4 minutes. Place the pan into the preheated oven and roast for 10 to 15 minutes, until the internal temperature is 135°F. Remove and let the pork rest for 5 minutes. Slice at a diagonal and keep warm.
- To serve: Warm 8 plates in the oven for 1 minute. Remove from oven and drizzle a little pomegranate molasses on each plate; top with a small mound of the Israeli couscous and place 3 slices of pork on the side. Garnish with fresh grape halves and serve warm.
- MOROCCAN SPICE
- In a large sauté pan, combine all the ingredients and cook over medium-low heat, shaking frequently, until the mixture begins to take on a darker color, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, allow to cool to room temperature, then grind in a spice
- blender, coffee grinder, or blender.
- If tightly covered and stored in a cool, dark place, the mixture will stay potent for up
- to 6 weeks.
