Simple Dishes: Roast Pork Tenderloin w/Garlic-Ginger Rub

Grocery shopping can lead to impulse purchases.  If something looks fresh and beautiful, I find it hard not to want to take it home to cook it, even if I don’t exactly know what to do with it at the time of purchase.  Pork tenderloin was one such purchase.  I’d never cooked pork tenderloin before, but the butcher in Saluhall had fantastic-looking pork tenderloin and I couldn’t resist.  After work, at home, I Googled various pork tenderloin cooking methods.  Many recipes call for 3 hours or overnight marination — I didn’t have the time, since the pork was meant for dinner that night.  So I decided to just rub some spices I had at home and roast it.  Although I’m sure marinating the tenderloin overnight will infuse it with flavor and tenderize the meat, I think this simple spice rub worked quite nicely.

SPICY ROAST PORK TENDERLOIN WITH GARLIC-GINGER RUB

• 3 tsp garlic powder
• 3 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt
• 1 1/4 pounds pork tenderloin
• Olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced

Preheat the oven to 450F.

In a small bowl, mixed garlic powder, ground ginger, cayenne pepper, and salt.  Stir well with a fork to combine — this will be the rub.  With dry hands, sprinkle the tenderloin with the rub, making sure to cover the entire tenderloin.  Gently pat the rub to ensure that that the seasoning adheres to the tenderloin.

In a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat, add olive oil (about 1 tablespoon).  Add the minced garlic and saute, stirring, for about 1 minute.  Put tenderloin in the pan and cook for about 10 minutes, searing each side and turning the meat.

Transfer meat to a roasting pan and bake for 20 minutes.

Rest for 5 minutes.  Slice and serve!

Tags: pork, Simple Dishes