Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apples, Shallots and Spinach

In this dish, an autumnal mix of roasted apples and shallots is tossed with handfuls of fresh spinach in a warm pan sauce, in the fashion of a warm spinach salad. Served with slices of herbed pork tenderloin, fresh herbs, and a balsamic drizzle, it makes for a stunning, nutritious, and weeknight-friendly meal. Spinach is high in insoluble fiber, vitamins A, C, and K as well as iron, folic acid, and calcium. Eating spinach may benefit eye health, reduce oxidative stress, help prevent cancer, and reduce blood pressure levels. Apples are a great source of vitamin C, fiber, and polyphenols. They may support weight loss, reduce diabetes risk, and promote gut and heart health. Pork is an excellent source of lean and tasty protein.

Makes: 4 servings
Time to cook: 50 minutes

Ingredients

· 3 large shallots

· 2 unpeeled large sweet red apples (1 1/4 pounds total), such as Honeycrisp or Gala

· 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

· 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, divided

· 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves

· 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves

· 1/4 teaspoon fine salt, plus more to taste

· 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

· 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard, divided

· One (11/4-pound) pork tenderloin, silver skin removed

· 1/3 cup no-salt-added chicken broth or water

· 1 teaspoon honey

· 3 cups (3 ounces) baby spinach

Cooking Instructions

1. Position racks in the middle and lower third of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees. Halve and peel the shallots, then cut each half lengthwise into three wedges so that each wedge retains a bit of the core to hold it together. You will wind up with 18 wedges of shallot. Core the apples, then cut each apple into 12 wedges, so that you have 24 wedges total.

2. Place the apple and shallot wedges on a rimmed baking sheet. Toss with 1 tablespoon of the oil and roast for 10 minutes on the middle rack, then toss, and continue to roast for another 10 minutes. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the balsamic vinegar, toss to coat, and return to the oven for another 10 minutes, or until the apples and shallots are tender, browned in spots and nicely glazed.

3. While the apples and shallots are roasting, in a small bowl combine the thyme, sage, and 1/4 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper. Rub 1 teaspoon of the mustard all over the pork, then sprinkle the herb mixture allover it, pressing it in to adhere.

4. In a large, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, heat2 tablespoons of the oil until shimmering. Add the pork and cook until browned on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees and is slightly blushed in the center, 15 to 18 minutes.

5. Transfer the pork to a cutting board to rest and return the skillet to the stovetop (remember the handle will be hot). Add the chicken broth or water to the skillet and heat over high heat, scraping up the bits in the pan with a spoon, until the liquid is reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and whisk in the remaining 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, 2 teaspoons of the mustard and the honey. Taste, and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.

6. When the apples and shallots are done, remove the baking sheet from the oven, and add the spinach to the sheet pan and all but a few tablespoons of the sauce from the skillet. Toss to combine, allowing the spinach to wilt somewhat.

7. Thinly slice the pork and serve it over the vegetable-apple mixture, drizzled with the remaining sauce.

Nutrition per serving
330 calories; 14 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 19 grams carbohydrates; 31 grams protein; 3 grams fiber; 13 grams sugar; 338 milligrams sodium

Recipe by Ellie Krieger, Washington Post

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