Caribbean Pork with Mango Salsa

I don’t reserve my best cooking for the weekends, I love to find easy to prepare, healthy dishes on the weekdays too.  There’s something so satisfying about coming home and cheffing something from scratch, rather than having to rely on leftovers.  I came across this Caribbean Pork with Mango Salsa in Real Simple’s January 2011 issue.  Amidst a ton of other pork recipes, this one called my name for it’s simplicity and it’s inclusion of Mango Salsa.

I know, I know.  Mango salsa isn’t entirely in season right now.  But amidst all the winter kale and squashes and over kill of pumpkin and peppermint from the holidays, it feels so good to go against the grain.  So fresh.  So summer-y.  Wouldn’t you like a taste of summer right now?

Caribbean Pork with Mango Salsa (as adapted from Real Simple)

• 1 mango, chopped
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
• salt for tasting
• 1 pound of pork tenderloin, or chops
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground corriander
• salt to taste

As usual, I was hesitant to think the Mango Salsa was going to have any flavor as the ingredients seemed too simple.  For some reason, I can’t get over it in my head that sometimes less ingredients really can blow your socks off.  It’s true though.

These simple, simple ingredients came together to make one of the most refreshing mango salsa’s I have had.  I love the flavor and was ready to just eat a bowl of it straight up.  I know it’s wrong, but sometimes a girl can’t help herself.

As for the pork, it’s easy to throw together.  The recipe calls for broiling, but I am huge on pan searing lately.  So, at nearly room temperature, I patted my chops dry and seasoned as the recipe called for.  I heated 2 pans on medium high and added a bit of EVOO. (I don’t have a pan large enough for two porkchops without crowding. If you crowd, you could lose the chance for them to get a sear.)  Once fired up and heated, I tossed the porkchops into the pans.

You’ll be tempted to touch.  To peek.  To check.  Resist.  Resist harder.  Have faith that four to five minutes untouched on each side with create a delicious sear.  Once they were seared, I tossed them into the oven at 450 degrees and cooked futher another 10 minutes or so, until the middle was no longer pink.

Allow to cool for 5 minutes or so before slicing to preserve the juices in the meat.  If you slice too soon, they juices all run out and you lose some of the moisture.  Just say no to dried out meat.  Especially pork.  Pork gets a bad rap for being boring, but I think when it’s done right, it’s amazing.

Slice pork and top with Mango Salsa.  Serve with a freshly made salad, side of roasted veggies or some brown rice.  Dive in.  There’s so reason you can’t have a freshly made, healthy meal on busy weekdays!

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