Mojito Pork Tenderloin with Mojo Sauce

By carvalhohm

Ingredients

• 1-2/3 cups water
• 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons spiced dark rum
• 4 limes
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh mint
• 9 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 pork tenderloins (about 1-1/2 pounds), trimmed of any sheer membrane (silver skin)
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 Panera Bread French Baguette, sliced

Details

Adapted from recipe.com

Preparation

Step 1

1.To make brine, combine 1/2 cup hot water, 2 tablespoons salt and sugar in cup until salt and sugar dissolve. Pour into large ziplock bag and stir in 1 cup cold water, rum, zest and juice of 2 limes, 3 tablespoons chopped mint, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Add pork, press out air, seal, and refrigerate 3 to 4 hours.

2.Heat grill to high. Remove pork from brine and discard brine. Pat dry pork and coat with cooking spray. Combine paprika, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and rub all over pork. Grill pork over high heat until grill-marked all over, 4 to 5 minutes total, turning often. Reduce heat to medium on gas grill or move pork to lower-heat part of charcoal grill. Cover and cook until meat registers 145 degrees on instant-read thermometer, 5 to 6 minutes, turning once. Remove pork to cutting board and let sit 10 minutes.

3.Meanwhile, heat oil in small saucepan over medium heat. Add remaining 6 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute. Juice remaining 2 limes and carefully pour juice into pan (it may sputter). Add orange juice, oregano, remaining 2 tablespoons water, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Bring to boil and boil 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 tablespoons of mint.

4.Slice pork crosswise and spoon sauce over top. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon of mint and serve with slices of French Baguette.

Tip:
For extra flavor on bread, brush it lightly with olive oil and grill until toasted golden brown.