HERB CRUSTED PORK TENDERLOIN RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• Brine the pork: Combine 4 cups water, the salt, sugar, garlic, bay leaves, juniper berries, peppercorns and cloves in a large pot or wide Dutch oven (large enough to hold the pork). Heat over medium heat, stirring, until the salt and sugar dissolve. Add 8 cups ice cubes; stir occasionally until the brine is cooled.
• Make small deep cuts, about 2 inches apart, all over the pork and between the ribs using the tip of a paring knife. Add the pork to the pot and submerge in the brine; add more cold water if needed to completely submerge. Refrigerate overnight.
• Set a rack in a roasting pan and put the pan on the lowest oven rack; preheat to 325 degrees F. Remove the pork from the brine, pat dry and set aside to bring to room temperature. Remove 3 cups brine (along with the spices) to a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove the hot roasting pan from the oven and carefully stand up the pork on the rack with the chine bone down. Add the hot brine to the bottom of the pan. Roast until the fat is mostly rendered, about 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the crust: Pulse the panko, butter, scallion, parsley, thyme and juniper berries in a food processor until the herbs are coarsely chopped and the mixture is combined.
• Remove the pork from the oven and reposition so it is meat-side up; brush the top and sides with the mustard, then sprinkle with the panko mixture, patting to adhere. Return to the oven and roast 50 more minutes.
• Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F and continue roasting until the crust is crisp and a thermometer inserted into the center registers 140 degrees F, about 20 more minutes. Remove from the oven, transfer to a cutting board and let rest 20 minutes before carving.

Steps:

• In 2-cup glass measuring cup, combine water and apricots; microwave on High 2 minutes. Remove from microwave and let stand to allow apricots to plump.
• Place potatoes in large microwave-safe bowl (do not pierce potatoes or add liquid); cover with vented plastic wrap and microwave on High 14 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender.
• Meanwhile, cut pork tenderloin into 1 1/4-inch-thick rounds; press each with heel of hand to flatten slightly. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.
• In 12-inch skillet, heat oil on medium-high until hot but not smoking. Add pork in single layer; cook 4 minutes. Turn pork over, moving to edge of skillet. Reduce heat to medium. Add shallots to center of skillet; cook 2 to 4 minutes longer or until pork is barely pink in the center, stirring shallots occasionally. Transfer pork to plate; cover and keep warm. Add apricots with water to skillet with shallots; heat to boiling. Boil 1 minute. Stir in apricot preserves and mustard and cook 2 to 3 minutes or until sauce is slightly syrupy. Turn off heat.
• Remove potatoes from microwave. Place spinach in microwave and cook as label directs. Uncover potatoes and mash lightly with potato masher; stir in margarine and 1/2 cup milk and mash until slightly chunky. Stir in additional milk to reach desired consistency, if necessary.
• Arrange pork and spinach on platter; top pork with apricot sauce and serve with potatoes.