If you avoid cooking pork because of too many bad experiences with tough, dry and sad-looking pork chops, I’d urge you to shake things up and try a pork tenderloin instead. Even though it’s an extremely lean cut of meat, it should still cook up tender and juicy. Perhaps because it’s cooked whole rather in slices?
If you’re a fan of the pork and apple combination, I think you’ll really like this one. Pears are nestled alongside browned pork tenderloin and wedges of red onion. They soften to create a sweet and savory side- even easier than having to make applesauce from scratch!
The tenderloin is coated in a honey-balsamic glaze and scattered with fresh thyme. It’s a quick and flavorful dish, simultaneously rustic and elegant, that you can put together in less than an hour. Perfect for last-minute company or a family Sunday supper.
Honey-Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Pears and Onions
Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
1 pound pork tenderloin, trimmed of excess fat
salt and pepper
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 large red onion, cut into 1/4-inch wedges
4 Bosc pears, cored and cut into 8 wedges
3 Tablespoons honey
1-1/2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
leaves from 3-4 thyme sprigs
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Season the pork with salt and pepper. Heat oil over medium-high heat in an ovenproof sauté pan. Brown the tenderloin on all sides and remove to a plate. Add the onion and pears and cook for 1-2 minutes. Return the pork to the pan and drizzle with honey and vinegar and then scatter with thyme.
Place the sauté pan in the oven (alternatively you can place it in an ovenproof baking dish) and roast until the pork is cooked through and the juices run clear, approximately 15-20 minutes.
Remove from oven and let the pork rest for at least five minutes. Cut the pork into thick slices. Divide the pork, onions and pears onto four individual plates and then drizzle with the pan juices.