Cherry Almond Glazed Pork Loin Food

CHERRY GLAZED PORK CHOPS WITH SMASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Position an oven rack 5 to 6 inches below the heat source and preheat the broiler to high.
• Pierce the potatoes all over with a fork. Put the potatoes on a microwave-safe plate with 2 tablespoons water and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Microwave until tender, about 10 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes.
• Carefully uncover, drain the potatoes and transfer them to a baking sheet. Top with 2 tablespoons olive oil and half the chopped thyme. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Smash each potato by pressing down with a metal spatula until it flattens. Set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Sear until golden brown on one side, about 2 minutes, then flip and cook until golden brown on the second side, about 2 minutes more (the pork chops will not be cooked through at this point). Transfer to a plate.
• Reduce the heat to medium. Add the shallot, dried cherries and the remaining thyme and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar and 1/4 cup water and simmer until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the cherry jam and season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.
• Transfer 2 tablespoons of the glaze and the remaining 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar to a large bowl and whisk to combine. Slowly whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil to make a vinaigrette. Set aside.
• Broil the potatoes until warm and golden, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Stir 2 tablespoons water into the remaining glaze in the skillet and bring to a simmer over high heat. Add the pork chops and any juices that have accumulated on the plate and turn over several times to coat with glaze. Return the pan to the oven and broil until the glaze is bubbly and thick and the pork chops are cooked through, about 2 minutes. (The pork chops should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F when measured with an instant-read thermometer.)
• Meanwhile, add the salad greens to the bowl with the dressing and toss to coat. Transfer the pork chops to a serving dish and pour the remaining glaze on top. Serve with the smashed potatoes and salad.

CHERRY-GLAZED ROAST PORK

Steps:

• Place roast fat side up on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40 minutes. , In a small saucepan, combine the preserves, juice, corn syrup, spices and remaining salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 5 minutes. Pour 1/2 cup sauce over roast. Bake 20 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 145°. Let meat stand for 10 minutes before slicing., Scrape up browned bits and pan drippings; add to remaining sauce. Cook and stir until heated through. Serve with roast.

ROAST PORK TENDERLOIN WITH CHERRY GLAZE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Season pork tenderloins with salt and pepper to taste. Place in shallow roasting pan.
• Roast tenderloins 20 to 25 minutes or until done (internal temp 155°F).
• Meanwhile, to make glaze, drain cherries, reserving liquid.
• Add enough cherry-flavored juice to cherry liquid to make one cup.
• Combine cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cherry liquid in small bowl.
• Mix cornstarch mixture into remaining liquid.
• Mix cherries, brown sugar, cranberries and cherry liquid in small saucepan.
• Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens; stir in mustard.
• Pour glaze evenly over tenderloins during last 10 minutes of roasting time.
• Slice tenderloins into medallions to serve.

CHERRY-ALMOND GLAZED PORK LOIN

Steps:

• Roast pork loin on rack in shallow baking pan, uncovered at 325 for 2 to 2 and 1/2 hours.
• In a saucepan, combine cherry preserves, corn syrup, vinegar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
• Heat to boiling, stirring frequently.
• Reduce heat, simmer 2 minutes and add toasted almonds.
• Keep sauce warm.
• Spoon hot sauce over cooked meat.
• Return to the oven about 30 minutes or until meat thermometer measures 170°F.
• Baste meat with sauce several times during the 30 minutes.
• Serve remaining sauce with meat.