A cozy Pacific Northwest winter plate: juicy pork tenderloin with a quick maple-mustard pan sauce, plus roasted Brussels sprouts that get crispy edges and sweet roasted pears. It feels holiday-fancy but is weeknight-fast.
Details
Ingredients
- Kroger® Fresh Natural Pork Tenderloin ~1 lb $3.99 (sale) per lb
- Kroger® Brussels Sprouts Halves (or Brussels Sprouts BIG DEAL! 24 oz) 12 oz $3.99 (12 oz)
- Organic Fresh Large Bartlett Pear 1 large pear $2.99/lb
- Organic Jumbo Yellow Onion 1/2 small onion, thinly sliced $1.49/lb
- Dijon mustard 2 Tbsp
- Maple syrup or honey 1–2 Tbsp
- Apple cider vinegar (or white wine vinegar) 1 Tbsp
- Olive oil 2–3 Tbsp, divided
- Butter (optional) 1 Tbsp
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Dried thyme or Herbes de Provence (optional) 1 tsp
Instructions
- Prep: Heat oven to 425°F. Pat pork dry. If Brussels are whole, halve them. Core pear and cut into 8 wedges. Thinly slice onion.
- Roast the sides: Toss Brussels sprouts and pear wedges with 1½–2 Tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme/Herbes de Provence. Spread on a sheet pan cut-side down where possible. Roast 18–22 minutes, stirring once halfway, until Brussels are browned and tender and pears are caramelized.
- Cook the pork (stove): While the pan roasts, season pork all over with salt and pepper. Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Sear pork 2–3 minutes per side (about 8–10 minutes total) until nicely browned.
- Finish temperature: Reduce heat to medium. Continue cooking, turning as needed, until pork reaches 145°F in the thickest part (usually 3–6 more minutes). Transfer to a plate and rest 5 minutes.
- Quick pan sauce: In the same skillet, add sliced onion and a pinch of salt; sauté 2 minutes. Stir in Dijon, maple syrup, and vinegar plus 2–3 Tbsp water. Simmer 1–2 minutes until glossy. Whisk in butter if using; taste and adjust salt/pepper.
- Serve: Slice pork. Spoon sauce over. Plate with roasted Brussels sprouts and pears.
Health notes: ~750–850 kcal/person (depends on oil/butter). High protein; lots of cruciferous veg; moderate sodium if you go heavy on mustard/salt. Great balanced winter dinner.
Drink pairing: Washington: Charles Smith “Kung Fu Girl” Riesling (off-dry works great with mustard and pear).