Peppercorn Pork with Dijon-Cider Sauce

I’m constantly looking for quick weeknight meals that are flavorful and not boring. This Peppercorn Pork fit the bill. It took about 30 minutes to make. The meat had a bit of kick from the crushed peppercorn, but the sweet Cider Sauce balanced it out nicely. The Apple Barley Salad would be a bit bland on its own, but I really enjoyed it with the pork and sauce.

Peppercorn Pork with Dijon-Cider Sauce

and Apple Barley Salad

Adapted from Cuisine at Home (p. 15)

recipe not posted online but other Cuisine at Home recipes are found here

Ingredients:

• 10 oz. pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into 2-inch thick medallions
• kosher salt
• 1 Tbs. whole peppercorn blend, freshly ground or crushed
• 2 Tbs. olive oil, divided
• 1 Tbs. minced shallots
• 2 tsp. tomato paste
• 1/4 c. dry white wine, such as Chardonnay
• 1 c. apple juice (or cider)
• 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tbs. Dijon mustard

Heat 1 Tbs. oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Season pork medallions with kosher salt. Dredge one side of the medallions in the crushed pepper. Add to the hot skillet, pepper-side down. Cook until browned, about 3 minutes.

Flip medallions and continue cooking until meat is cooked (about 145F at the center), about 6 more minutes. Transfer medallions to a plate, cover with foil, and let them rest.

In same skillet, add remaining olive oil, shallots, and tomato paste. Saute for 1 minute.

Add wine and deglaze pan, scraping the bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Simmer until almost evaporated.

Add apple juice and vinegar, simmering until it reduces to about 1/3 a cup, 5-7 minutes. Whisk in mustard and season with salt.

Serve with Apple Barley Salad

Ingredients:

• Barley*
• 1 sweet red apple, diced
• 1 Tbs. unsalted butter
• 1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
• 1 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tsp. sugar

* Cook barley according to package. I used 1 c. uncooked barley, yielding 3-4 c. cooked.

In a small non-stick pan, melt butter. Add apples and cook until apples are just softened, a couple minutes.

Stir in remaining ingredients. Add to barley and stir to combine.