Lemon Capered Pork Tenderloin Recipes

HERB-MARINATED PORK TENDERLOINS

Steps:

• Combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, mustard, and 2 teaspoons salt in a sturdy 1-gallon resealable plastic bag. Add the pork tenderloins and turn to coat with the marinade. Squeeze out the air and seal the bag. Marinate the pork in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours but preferably overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Remove the tenderloins from the marinade and discard the marinade but leave the herbs that cling to the meat. Sprinkle the tenderloins generously with salt and pepper. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large oven-proof saute pan over medium-high heat. Sear the pork tenderloins on all sides until golden brown. Place the saute pan in the oven and roast the tenderloins for 10 to 15 minutes or until the meat registers 137 degrees F at the thickest part. Transfer the tenderloins to a platter and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Allow to rest for 10 minutes. Carve in 1/2-inch-thick diagonal slices. The thickest part of the tenderloin will be quite pink (it's just fine!) and the thinnest part will be well done. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm, or at room temperature with the juices that collect in the platter.

LEMON SALT MARINATED PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Finely zest the lemons.
• Using a mortar and pestle, work the salt and lemon zest together. Add a few turns of black pepper and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Stir to blend. Rub the lemon salt mixture all over the pork.
• In a large saute pan heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil until hot but not smoking, add tenderloins to pan and sear on all sides, about 5 minutes total. (If you have a small pan, sear 1 tenderloin at a time.) Move pan with pork to the oven and cook until a meat thermometer reads 155 degrees F, about 6 to 8 minutes.
• Remove pork from the pan and let rest on a cutting board for about 5 minutes. Slice the tenderloins against the grain on a diagonal bias, fan out on a plate, and serve with Honey Roasted Applesauce.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Peel the apples with a vegetable peeler, remove the core and cut into 1-inch chunks.
• Heat a medium saute pan on medium-high heat with the butter in it. When the butter begins to brown add the lemon juice and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in the apples and salt. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes until the edges just begin to color. Add the honey and put in oven for about 15 to 20 minutes until the apples are soft and lightly caramelized.
• Mash with a fork for a chunky version, or put in food processor for a smoother sauce. Serve warm, room temperature or cold.
• Yield: 4 to 6 servings
• Cook's Notes: Most applesauce recipes call for cooking the apples on the stovetop from start to finish. I prefer to start them on the stovetop and then finish them in a hot oven. The oven heat concentrates their flavors by drying and caramelizing them slightly. Although I have suggested a couple of apple varieties, you can use what good cooking apples are available in your area.

LEMON-CAPER PORK MEDALLIONS

Steps:

• Flatten pork slices to 1/4-in. thickness. In a large shallow dish, combine the flour, salt and pepper. Add pork, a few pieces at a time, and turn to coat., In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook pork in butter and oil in batches until juices run clear. Remove and keep warm., Add the broth, wine and garlic to the pan, stirring to loosen browned bits. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half. Stir in the capers, lemon juice and rosemary; heat through. Serve with pork.

GRILLED LEMON-PEPPER PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat. In small bowl, mix all ingredients except pork and oil. Brush oil over all sides of pork. Rub lemon peel mixture over pork.
• Cover and grill pork over medium-low heat 15 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally, until pork has slight blush of pink in center and meat thermometer inserted in center reads 160°F.
• Remove pork from grill; cover with foil. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.

LEMON/GARLIC PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• With a sharp knife, make slits or pockets in the pork loin -- one for every whole garlic clove you're going to use. Insert the whole cloves and bit of fresh oregano into each slit. Set aside.
• In medium bowl, combine oil, wine, lemon juice, minced garlic, thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. Pour over pork loin and refrigerate 6-24 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350. Place pork in a baking pan and add 1 cup water. Bake for 1-1/2 hours, or until pork is tender and juices run clear. Occasionally baste with juices in pan.
• Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes or so. Cut into slices and serve.

LEMON-GARLIC PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• In a resealable plastic bag, combine the oil, lemon juice, zest, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper; add pork. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight., Drain and discard marinade. Grill, covered, over medium heat for about 13-14 minutes on each side or until juices run clear and a thermometer reads 160°. Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing.

LEMON-CAPERED PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Trim fat from tenderloin, discard and set tenderloin aside.
• Combine capers, rosemary and black pepper in a small bowl and then rub rosemary mixture over tenderloin and then place tenderloin in a shallow roasting pan and pour water and lemon juice over tenderloin.
• Bake, uncovered, 1 hour or until thermometer inserted in thickest park of tnderloin registers 170°F.
• Remove from oven; cover with aluminum foil and allow to stand for 10 minutes before serving.
• Garnish as desired.