Recipes for easy entertaining

Friday, August 12, 2011
Almond Crusted Pork with Mango Relish

Family Features

Warm-weather entertaining calls for light, refreshing recipes full of flavor. These delectable dishes pair mangos and California Almonds for a main course, side dish and dessert that will have your guests clamoring for more.

The naturally sweet, refreshing taste of mango makes every dish special, and mangos serve up more than 20 different vitamins and minerals. Their exotic but versatile flavor and year-round avail­ability make them a go-to ingredient for any kind of entertaining.

California Almonds in all their forms provide a delicious depth of flavor and crunch that complement any dish. Whether whole, sliced, slivered, or as almond milk or butter, almonds add a sudden sophistication and tempting appeal to a wide variety of cuisines.

Almond Crusted Pork

with Mango Relish

Makes 6 servings

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Mango Relish:

2 large, ripe mangos, peeled,
pitted and diced
1/4 cup minced red onion
1/4 cup minced red bell pepper
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint
Sea salt and freshly ground
pepper to taste

Almond Crusted Pork:

3/4 cup chopped, toasted almonds, divided
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 pounds pork tenderloin
1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

For relish, stir together mangos, onion, bell pepper, vinegar, mint, and salt and pepper in a medium bowl; cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

To prepare pork on grill: Finely chop 1/2 cup almonds and stir in brown sugar and seasonings. Brush pork with oil then season with salt and pepper; roll in almond mixture, pressing into the surface. Transfer to a piece of heavy-duty foil and press any remaining nuts onto the top. Grill over medium heat, turning occasionally to brown each side, for 35 to 40 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 160°F on a meat thermometer. Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing.

To prepare pork in oven: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450°F. For the pork, finely chop 1/2 cup almonds. Stir in brown sugar and seasonings; transfer almond mixture to baking sheet. Brush pork with 1 1/2 table­spoons oil then season with salt and pepper; roll in almond mixture, pressing into the surface. Lightly spray pork with olive oil spray. Cook pork on foil-lined baking sheet until exterior is golden brown and meat reaches 160°F, 35 to 40 minutes, turning pork halfway through cook­ing. Let stand

for 5 minutes before slicing.

To assemble, top sliced pork with mango relish and toasted almonds.

For the complete version of the Weekend Menu page, including more great recipes and food talk, see the print edition of the McCook Daily Gazette or subscribe to the Electronic Edition.

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