Spicy jerk pork pairs well with coconut-flavored rice
Hot Jamaican jerk spices coat tender pork tenderloin slices for this easy dinner. Coconutflavored rice and beans complete the meal.
Jerking is an old Jamaican method for preserving and cooking meat. It is thought to have been invented by the Arawak indigenous peoples of South America and the Caribbean. Today, the men who prepare the meat are called “jerk men.” They use a long process involving marinating the meat and then slowly cooking it over a pimento (all spice) wood fire. For this quick meal, I use jerk seasoning from the spice section of the market to create the jerk flavors.
Rice and beans cooked in coconut milk is the perfect side dish to temper the spices of the jerk seasonings.
Helpful Hints:
Boneless pork chops can be used instead of port tenderloin. Cook them about 5 to 8 minutes or until a meat thermometer reaches 145 degrees.
Any type of canned beans can be used such as red kidney beans or black beans.
Countdown:
Start rice.
Prepare pork ingredients. Finish rice.
Sauté pork.
To buy: 3/4-pound pork
Shopping List:
tenderloin, 1 bottle jerk seasoning, 1 small package white rice, 1 can lite coconut milk, 1 can pinto beans and 1 bunch scallions
Staples: canola oil, salt and black peppercorns.
JERK PORK
Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer
Remove visible fat from the tenderloin. Cut into 1-inch slices and pat down with a meat bat or bottom of a heavy skillet to ½-inch thick pieces. Rub jerk seasoning into the meat.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add the pork and sauté 2 minutes. Turn and sauté 1 minute. Remove to two dinner plates. Serve with Coconut Rice and Beans.
Yield 2 servings
Per serving: 226 calories (33% from fat), 8.2 g fat (1.5 g saturated, 4.2 g monounsaturated), 108 mg cholesterol, 35.6 g protein, 3 g carbohydrates, no fiber, 230 mg sodium.
Place rice, coconut milk and water in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cover with a lid and simmer 10 minutes. Add the beans and continue to simmer 5 minutes or until the rice is cooked through. If there is still some liquid, remove the lid and boil rapidly for a minute or two until it is absorbed. Remove from heat, sprinkle scallions on top and add salt and pepper to taste. Makes 2 servings.
Per serving: 348 calories (20% from fat), 7.8 g fat (6.3 g saturated, 0.2 g monounsaturated), no cholesterol, 10.6 g protein, 59.3 g carbohydrates, 6.5 g fiber, 132 mg sodium.