Ancho-Cocoa Pork with Charred Corn Salsa

A quick Oaxacan-inspired grill dinner pairs cocoa-ancho pork with a juicy salsa of peak-summer Washington corn, tomatoes, and mild Hatch chile.

Ingredients

  • Kroger® Fresh Natural Pork Tenderloin
    1 lb $2.99
  • Fresh Sweet Corn on the Cob-Each
    2 ears $0.75
  • Fresh Roma Tomato
    8 oz $1.49
  • Private Selection™ Mild Hatch Chile Peppers
    4 oz $1.79
  • Garlic
    1 clove $0.79
  • Olive oil
    2 tablespoons
  • Ancho chile powder
    1 teaspoon
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
    1 teaspoon
  • Ground cumin
    1 teaspoon
  • Dried oregano
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Kosher salt
    3/4 teaspoon
  • Black pepper
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Honey
    1 teaspoon
  • Apple cider vinegar
    1 tablespoon
  • Fresh cilantro
    1/4 cup

Instructions

  1. Heat a grill to medium-high. Pat 1 lb pork tenderloin dry; shuck 2 ears corn, dice 8 oz Roma tomato, halve and seed 4 oz Hatch chile, mince 1 garlic clove, and chop 1/4 cup cilantro.
  2. Mix 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder, 1 teaspoon cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 minced garlic clove. Rub the mixture over the prepared 1 lb pork tenderloin and let it stand for 10 minutes.
  3. Coat 2 ears corn and 4 oz halved Hatch chile with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Grill the coated 1 lb pork tenderloin, 2 ears corn, and 4 oz Hatch chile, turning occasionally; remove the vegetables after 8–10 minutes and cook the pork for 14–18 minutes, until its center reaches 145°F.
  4. Rest the grilled 1 lb pork tenderloin for 5 minutes. Let the grilled 2 ears corn and 4 oz Hatch chile cool for 3 minutes while the pork rests.
  5. Cut the kernels from the 2 grilled ears corn and dice the grilled 4 oz Hatch chile. Toss both with 8 oz diced Roma tomato, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro.
  6. Slice the rested 1 lb pork tenderloin across the grain, divide it between two plates, and spoon all of the charred corn salsa alongside.

Total time: 40 minutes

Estimated cost: $7–$9 for 2 servings

Health notes: About 480 calories per serving, with roughly 48 grams protein, 30 grams carbohydrates, and 18 grams fat.

Drink pairing: A fruit-forward Grenache complements the pork and ancho-cocoa rub without overwhelming the charred corn salsa.