Georgian Cherry Walnut Pork

Juicy seared pork, jammy cherry-walnut sauce, and caramelized red cabbage bring Georgian-inspired sweet-tart richness to an elegant but doable weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

  • Kroger® Fresh Natural Pork Tenderloin
    12 oz, trimmed and cut into 1-inch medallions $3.99
  • Red Cabbage
    10 oz, thinly sliced into ribbons $1.99
  • Red Potatoes
    12 oz, cut into 3/4-inch pieces $1.29
  • Fresh Red Cherries in Bag
    1 cup, pitted and halved $5.99
  • Parsley
    1/3 cup chopped, divided $1.89
  • Garlic
    2 cloves, minced $0.79
  • Walnuts
    1/4 cup chopped
  • Olive oil
    2 tablespoons, divided
  • Red wine vinegar
    2 tablespoons, divided
  • Honey
    1 teaspoon
  • Ground coriander
    1 teaspoon
  • Smoked paprika
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Ground cinnamon
    1/8 teaspoon
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
    to taste
  • Water
    3 tablespoons, as needed
  • Rombauer Pinot Noir Red Wine
    750 ml $54.99

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Prep all ingredients: slice the cabbage, cut the potatoes, pit and halve the cherries, mince the garlic, chop the parsley, and season the pork medallions with salt, pepper, coriander, paprika, and cinnamon.
  2. On a large rimmed sheet pan, toss the potatoes with 2 teaspoons olive oil, salt, and pepper; roast for 10 minutes to give them a head start.
  3. Add the sliced red cabbage to the sheet pan with 2 teaspoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper; toss beside the potatoes and roast 18–22 minutes more, stirring once, until the potatoes are browned and the cabbage is tender with crisp edges.
  4. While the vegetables roast, toast the walnuts in a dry large skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until fragrant; transfer to a small bowl and reserve for the sauce.
  5. When the vegetables have about 12 minutes left, heat the remaining olive oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork medallions for 2–3 minutes per side until browned and the centers reach 145°F, then transfer to a plate to rest for 5 minutes.
  6. Lower the skillet heat to medium and add the cherries, garlic, remaining 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, honey, and 2–3 tablespoons water; simmer 3–4 minutes, scraping up browned bits, until the cherries soften into a glossy, chunky sauce.
  7. Stir the toasted walnuts and half the parsley into the cherry sauce, taste for salt and pepper, then plate the roasted cabbage and potatoes with the pork on top; spoon over the cherry-walnut sauce and finish with the remaining parsley.

Total time: 55 minutes

Estimated cost: About $10–$12 for 2 servings, using the listed sale pork tenderloin plus cherries, red cabbage, potatoes, parsley, and garlic.

Health notes: About 610 calories per serving, with high protein, moderate carbohydrates from potatoes and cherries, and heart-healthy fats from walnuts and olive oil.

Drink pairing: A juicy, bright red works well with the cherry sauce, walnuts, and lean pork.

Wine picks:

  • Rombauer Pinot Noir Red Wine $54.99 750 ml
  • La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir California Red Wine $22.99 750 ml

Why it works: Two Pinot Noirs that complement the jammy cherry-walnut sauce and spiced pork: one richer, riper bottle to echo the honeyed fruit and walnuts; and one cooler-climate, brighter Pinot to cut the fat and lift the tart cherry and red‑cabbage vinaigrette.