Grilled Pork Tenderloin With Fresh Fig Skewers Recipes

FIG AND BALSAMIC PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450F. Grease a cast-iron skillet with a bit of oil and set aside. (Alternately, you can use a rimmed baking sheet. Brush some oil on the baking sheet, as well).
• Prepare the pork tenderloin by removing any visible fat and removing the silverskin. Brush pork with balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Place into a prepared pan or baking sheet, placing it along the side or at the end, if cooking potatoes alongside. Tuck the thin end of the tenderloin under, so that the pork is evenly thick from end to end.
• (If cooking potatoes alongside, halve or cube the potatoes, toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Place into the skillet or onto the baking sheet, cut side down.)
• Place into preheat oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until the pork registers 145F when measured with an instant-read thermometer and the potatoes are golden.
• Remove from oven. Remove the potatoes to a bowl and loosely cover with foil to keep warm. Remove the pork to a plate to rest while you make the sauce.
• In the same skillet you used to cook the pork (or a fresh skillet if you cooked on a baking sheet), melt the butter over medium heat. Add the shallots or onion and cook, stirring until softened. Add the chicken broth, balsamic vinegar and fig jam. Increase the heat to medium high and cook, stirring, until sauce reduces and thickens. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Add a few thyme leaves to the sauce, if using.
• Return pork to the pan and re-warm, flipping it over a couple of times to coat with sauce. Remove pork to a plate and spoon warm sauce over-top or alternately, slice pork, then spoon sauce over-top. Serve with roasted potatoes.

GRILLED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH FRESH FIG SKEWERS

Steps:

• Prepare a hot fire in your grill. Brush the tenderloin with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Remove the skewers from the water. Pierce the figs through the middle with a metal skewer or ice pick to make a hole. Then thread 3 figs onto each rosemary or wooden skewer. Lightly brush the figs with olive oil.
• Place the pork tenderloin directly over the fire. Grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side (the center-cut pork loin filet for 5 to 7 minutes per side), turning a quarter turn at a time, until an instant-read meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 140°F for medium and the meat is juicy and slightly pink in the center.
• At the same time, place the skewered figs over the fire, turning several times and cooking for about 5 to 6 minutes until they are heated through. When they're caramelized and soft, remove the skewers from the heat and keep warm.
• Let the pork rest for about 5 minutes, and then cut on the diagonal into 1- to 2-inch-thick slices.
• To serve, arrange 3 slices of pork with a skewer of figs on each plate, all topped with crumbled goat cheese, drizzled with 1/2 teaspoon honey, and a sprinkled with chopped rosemary.

BALSAMIC-GLAZED FIG & PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• Cut pork into 1-in. cubes. Combine next seven ingredients; rub over pork. Refrigerate, covered, until ready to grill. Meanwhile, make a glaze by whisking vinegar, honey, mustard and oil. Set aside., On water-soaked wooden skewers, thread pork cubes and fig halves. Grill, covered, on a greased rack over medium-high direct heat, turning occasionally, until a thermometer reads 145°, 8-10 minutes. During last half of grilling, brush cooked surfaces frequently with glaze., Let skewers stand for 5 minutes; add a tomato to each. Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle lightly with blue cheese and basil.