Spice Rubbed Pork Skewers With Tomatoes Recipes

SPICE-RUBBED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH A MEDITERRANEAN GRAIN SALAD

Steps:

• Option 1: "Plain" but seasoned:
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Season pork all over with 1 tsp. salt. Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large, heavy, ovenproof skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high. Sear pork, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 7 minutes. Transfer skillet to oven and roast, flipping pork halfway through, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of meat registers 145°F for medium/medium-rare, 10-12 minutes. Transfer pork to a cutting board (reserve skillet if you're going for Option 3) and let rest at least 5 minutes. Slice into medallions. Meanwhile, toss grains with remaining 2 Tbsp. oil and 3/4 tsp. salt in a large bowl. Fold in cucumbers and tomatoes, or serve them alongside.
• Option 2: A little more flavor:
• Before searing pork, add cumin, brown sugar, and 1 tsp. pepper to 1 tsp. salt. Rub all over pork, then follow cooking directions above. Fold lemon juice and remaining 1/4 tsp. pepper into grain salad. Top salad with feta before serving.
• Option 3: Take it next level:
• After searing pork, drain excess fat from skillet and heat over medium. Add harissa and cook, stirring constantly with a spatula or wooden spoon, until bubbling and slightly browned, about 30 seconds. Pour in wine or broth, increase heat to high, and cook, scraping up browned bits, until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and add butter, one piece at a time, whisking to incorporate after each addition until emulsified. Stir in lemon juice, if using (we especially like it with the chicken broth-based sauce); season with salt and pepper. Fold herbs and olives into grain salad. Divide pork and salad among plates and serve sauce alongside.

SPICE-RUBBED PORK SKEWERS WITH TOMATOES

Steps:

• Prepare grill.
• Combine first 7 ingredients.
• Cut pork in half crosswise; cut each half into 8 lengthwise strips.
• Combine pork strips and chile paste in a shallow dish; toss to coat. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture evenly over pork; toss to coat.
• Let pork stand 10 minutes.
• Thread 1 pork strip and 1 tomato onto each of 16 (10-inch) wooden skewers.
• Place skewers on a grill rack coated with cooking spray.
• Grill 3 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness.
• Combine soy sauce and oil; drizzle over pork.

RED HOT CHILE-RUBBED PORK SKEWERS

Steps:

• To make the marinade, heat the chile de Arbol powder, ancho chile powder, cayenne, and cumin for 45 to 60 seconds in a small saute pan over medium-low heat. Transfer the spice mixture to a small bowl, and whisk in the orange juice, water, garlic puree, cane syrup, and oregano. Gradually whisk in the oil in a steady stream.
• Season the meat with 1 teaspoon of the Cajun seasoning and the jerk seasoning. Place pork into a plastic resealable bag, add the marinade, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours.
• When ready to cook, heat a charcoal or gas grill. Remove the pork from the plastic bag and discard the marinade. Slice the tenderloin into 12 equal portions. Working with 1 piece at a time, place a piece of pork between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound out to a thickness of 1/8-inch. Complete with remaining tenderloin pieces. Combine the remaining 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning with the salt, pepper, and chile de Arbol powder. Lightly brush both sides of the meat with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning mixture. Thread each piece of pork onto a skewer (for stability, use 2 skewers for each piece of meat). Grill over medium-high heat for 6 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally. Serve immediately with Cilantro-Cucumber Tzatzki Sauce (see separate recipe).
• Preheat the oven to300 degrees.
• Place the garlic in a small ovenproof container and pour in the oil. Use additional oil if needed to completely immerse all the garlic cloves. Cover the container with aluminum foil and roast 1 hour, until garlic is soft and light golden brown.
• Strain the garlic and place in a blender along with 2 tablespoons of the oil. Puree to a smooth consistency, adding a small amount of oil if necessary. Pour into a container and cover the top of the puree with a thin layer of the oil. Cover and store in the refrigerator.
• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl until thoroughly mixed. Store in an airtight container. The spice mix keeps its best flavor for about 2 months.
• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container. The mix can be kept for up to 2 months.

GRILLED SPICE-RUBBED PORK WITH TOMATO GARLIC SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare grill for cooking over medium-hot charcoal (moderate heat for gas). If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom of grill, then light charcoal. When charcoal turns grayish white (about 15 minutes from lighting), hold your hand 5 inches above grill rack to determine heat for charcoal as follows: Hot: When you can hold your hand there for 1 to 2 seconds Medium-hot: 3 to 4 seconds Low: 5 to 6 seconds
• If using a gas grill, preheat burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then, if necessary, reduce to heat specified in recipe.
• Meanwhile, whisk together 1 tablespoon oil, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, and 1/2 teaspoon each of cumin, cinnamon, and salt in a large shallow bowl. Pat pork dry and add to spiced oil in bowl, turning to coat.
• Grill tenderloins on lightly oiled grill rack, covered only if using a gas grill, turning over occasionally, until thermometer inserted diagonally 2 inches into thickest end of meat registers 150°F, 16 to 18 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board, then tent loosely with foil and let stand 10 minutes before slicing. (Internal temperature will rise to 160°F while pork stands.)
• Cook garlic in remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a 10- to 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until pale golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Add tomatoes with their juices, remaining 1/8 teaspoon cayenne, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon each of cumin, cinnamon, and salt, then briskly simmer until sauce is slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Slice pork and serve with sauce.