The Ginger Pig
The combination of apples and ginger is especially good at enhancing meat, especially pork. Here, pork tenderloin is roasted and basted with a tangy tomato-molasses sauce. It’s a fine simple entree when served alone, but when paired with Gingered Applesauce, it becomes something special.
PORK TENDERLOIN WITH GINGERED APPLESAUCE 1 (3/4-pound) pork tenderloin, trimmed of fat 1/4 cup tomato sauce Dash cayenne pepper 1 tablespoon molasses 1 clove garlic, minced 1 tablespoon lemon juice Salt Freshly ground pepper Gingered Applesauce
Tuck thin tip of tenderloin under to prevent from cooking too soon and drying out. Place tenderloin on foil-lined baking sheet. Roast at 500 degrees 5 minutes, turning after 3 minutes. Reduce heat to 400 degrees and roast 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine tomato sauce, cayenne pepper, molasses, garlic, lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste in small saucepan and simmer 5 minutes.
Baste tenderloin with tomato mixture. Roast 15 to 18 minutes longer, basting every 5 minutes (total cooking time at 400 degrees is 25 to 28 minutes). If using meat thermometer, it should register 155 to 158 degrees (temperature will reach recommended 160 degrees as tenderloin stands). Remove pork from oven and let stand 5 minutes.
Slice tenderloin into 1/2- to 3/4-inch-thick slices and serve with Gingered Applesauce. Makes 2 servings.
Gingered Applesauce 1 large or 2 small Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored and diced Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon 2 (1/8-inch-thick) slices ginger root 1/4 cup sugar 2 tablespoons minced candied ginger Apple juice, optional
Combine diced apple, lemon zest and juice, ginger root and sugar in small saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat until apples are very tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in candied ginger and simmer 5 minutes longer. If mixture is syrupy, remove cover and cook until liquid has almost evaporated, 2 to 5 minutes. If apples dry out during cooking, add up to 1/4 cup apple juice (dryness or liquidity of mixture will vary with apple).
Set applesauce aside to cool. Just before serving, remove ginger slices. Makes 2 servings.