Helpful hints

Savor the flavors of Korea with this pan-roasted pork coated with a garlicky soy sauce glaze. Sticky, shortgrained rice mixed with vegetables is a Korean staple. I’ve adapted this rice recipe to capture Korean flavors and shorten the preparation time.

Sesame oil, rice vinegar and low-sodium soy sauce are used in this dinner. I like to keep them on hand to add Asian flavors to many meat, rice or vegetables dishes. If pressed for time, instead of the rice recipe below, make microwave rice and stir in spinach while rice is still hot.

White vinegar diluted with a little water can be used instead of rice vinegar.

Countdown

Marinate pork. Make rice dish. Make pork.

Shopping list

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for tonight’s Dinner in Minutes.

3/4 pound pork tenderloin, 1 small bottle lowsodium soy sauce, 1 small bottle rice vinegar, 1 bottle sesame oil, 1 small bottle honey,

To buy:

1 small bottle ground ginger, 1 small package white rice, 1 small package bean sprouts, 1 bag washed, ready-to eat spinach.

Staples:

Minced garlic, salt and black peppercorns.

KOREAN PORK

Remove visible fat from pork and cut into 1-inch slices. Place in a self-seal plastic bag. Add soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, honey, ginger and black pepper. Seal the bag and gently shake to combine ingredients. Marinate about 5 minutes while making side dish.

Remove pork from bag and reserve marinade. Heat remaining 2 teaspoons sesame oil in a medium-size nonstick skillet over mediumhigh heat and add the pork. Saute 2 minutes. Turn and saute 3 minutes. Remove to a plate. A meat thermometer should read 145 degrees. Add the reserved marinade to the skillet and cook 3 to 4 minutes. Spoon sauce over the pork.

Yield 2 servings.

KOREAN-STYLE RICE AND SPINACH

Place rice, bean sprouts and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and cover with a lid. Boil 10 to 12 minutes. Water should be absorbed and rice cooked. Remove from the heat and add the spinach. Stir to wilt leaves. Add sesame oil and salt and pepper to taste. Toss well.

Yield 2 servings.