Pork Tenderloin

This is a very easy recipe that is very big on taste! This is my Mom's recipe but Nate used it to enter a contest at church and not only won first place in its category, but won first place overall. Definitely a yummy main course! You can make one or two at a time ... they come two to a package and we usually go ahead and cook both.

Pork Tenderloin

Ingredients:

2 Pork Tenderloin

(the following mixture is for both tenderloins)

2 cups Brown Sugar

3 heaping Tbsp Garlic

1 to 2 tsp hot sauce (optional)

(the following ingredients will need to be mixed twice - i.e.: 4 tsp cinnamon total but only 2 tsp for first tenderloin, etc.)
2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp chili powder

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

Directions:

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. combine 2 cups brown sugar, 3 heaping Tbsp of garlic and 1 to 2 tsp hot sauce (optional) in a bowl. Mix well and set aside.

3. Wash tenderloin, set aside

4. on a piece of wax paper, combine 2 tsp of cinnamon, 2 tsp of chili powder, 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp of salt and 1 tsp of pepper. Mix well on the wax paper.

5. Roll tenderloin in the mixture on the wax paper until well covered. Set aside.

6. At this point, if you are making more than one, you will need to repeat steps 4 and 5.

7. In an iron skillet, add 3 tsp olive oil on medium high heat ... when skillet gets hot enough to smoke, add tenderloin(s).

8. Sear tenderloin for 4 minutes and turn

9. Sear second side for 3 minutes and then add garlic mixture - packing mixture over the entire tenderloin(s). Allow to sear for 1 more minute and remove from stovetop.

10. Place iron skillet in 350 degree oven for 40 minutes

11. Remove from oven and slice tenderloin.

12. Place on platter and pour remaining sauce from the iron skillet over sliced tenderloin.

comments: I totally recommend this dish ... it is so very good and a definite melt in your mouth experience! I was watching a cooking show the other day and the chef mentioned that believe it or not, "pork tenderloin" is more lean than skinless chicken! Woo-Hoo! Contest or no contest, this dish is definitely a winner in our household!

rating: 5