A Southern Grace: this little piggy...

January 19, 2010

this little piggy...

Yum

...looks good in orange. Am I right or am I right?

Suuuuuu-ey!
So. Every pig-lover out there would probably agree that nothing goes together quite as well as pork and apples. Some might argue for the tangy juice of orange or pineapple, others might make a case for pears. One fruit I never considered is the unassuming apricot.

Folks, this rub and glaze combination is nothing short of amazing. Fresh rosemary is so fragrant and the sweet burst of flavor from the apricot preserves compliments the juicy pork perfectly. If you're anything like me, you'll be reaching for a second helping almost immediately--Heaven forbid someone beat you to it!

Have you found any other off-the-wall fruits that seem to enhance Miss Piggy?

Aromatic Apricot Loin of Pork
(based almost entirely on this recipe)

1 pound pork tenderloin
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely-minced (or 1 tablespoon dried)(but fresh is really much better)
2 garlic cloves, minced
Fresh ground black pepper and salt
3/4 cup apricot preserves
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Preheat oven to 400F.
Brush the pork with 1 tablespoon oil; sprinkle with rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper. Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook until brown on all sides, turning often (about 5 minutes). Transfer the pan to the oven and roast the pork until a meat thermometer registers 150F (about 15 minutes).
While the pork roasts, combine the preserves and lemon juice in a small bowl.
When the meat has reached the appropriate temperature, remove the pan from the oven and brush the preseves mixture over the pork. Let your gorgeous slab of meat rest 8 minutes the cut it crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Drizzle any remaining sauce on top--it's much too tasty to waste!

71 comments:

Gloria Baker said...

Grace look really nice, yes some fruits as this will be so tasty in pork.I love this recipe. xgloria

Susan @ SGCC said...

This looks wonderful! Fruit and pork go together like PB & J. I've also cooked the pig with pomegranate, blueberry and dried cherry sauces before.

Antonietta said...

Yes, this looks amazing! I love the combination of apricots and pork. I've stuffed dried apricots (soaked in brandy) into a pork loin before. This one looks sweeter and more succulent!

oneordinaryday said...

Great shot! This pork looks perfect.

Suze said...

Yum! I never thought of apricot with pork! I'll have to try it though! I rarely get fruity with my pork (I have been known to douse a tenderloin in my pepper butter though)-but once I glazed one with some homemade cherry syrup...tasty! :)

Jennifer said...

Oh yeah! Apricot goes really well with pork. When I was a kid my mom used to serve pork with a condiment called Saucy Susan or Saucy Suzy? Something like that but it was apricot based and was so good on pork, or ham for that matter.

Your recipe sounds fabulous.

lisa is cooking said...

Rosemary and apricot sounds great together, and I'm thinking about how good this would be on chicken too!

kat said...

We love to stuff pork with dried apricots but tart cherries are pretty darn good too

kimberleyblue said...

I've never been a fan of mixing fruit with meat. Pineapple chicken, cranberry sauce with turkey, pork with apples - never liked any of them!

Maybe pork and apricots would be nice though...I'd be willing to try it if it looked as nice as your photos!

George Gaston said...

Grace, this is an awesome combination. I love this recipe ~ It's simple & easy! Can't get better than that. Many thanks...

Hungry Dog said...

Great combination! I like pork with most any fruit--apricots, cranberries, figs, apples...this looks fantastic.

Cookie baker Lynn said...

How about cranberries? This piggy does look delicious in orange!

Lindsey@pickyeatings said...

I love me some pork tenderloin, and need to find a recipe that is not just teriyaki sauce and garlic...

Pam said...

Oh Grace, it looks fantastic! I love fruit with pork.

Josie said...

Wow that looks delicious. I love the idea of combining rosemary and apricot.

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Very aromatic indeed! What a perfect combo!

Cheers,

Rosa

Anonymous said...

I love this pairing! The pork sounds super delicious with apricot glaze!

noble pig said...

YES, YES, YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Albany Jane said...

Oh man, I just can't do it. I have this weird thing about fruit/sweet and savory/meaty. But the pork looks freaking gooood. I mean, it's pork. How could I not lurve it?

Melanie said...

The combination I'm most interested is the rosemary and apricots. Who would have thought? The entire dish looks amazing. I'm guilty of not branching out with the ol' pig but this looks too good not to try.

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Yes you look great in orange but this would look best on my plate and in my waiting mouth please! :P

Barbara said...

Lovely recipe, Grace! Pork and apricots. Naturals together. One always thinks of rosemary with lamb so I love the idea of using it here.
I have used cherries with pork, but really think apricots are richer and the color is lovely.

(I recently ordered some rosemary lavender honey. Thought it sounded delicious. Will let you know.)

Lyndas recipe box said...

Oh boy, this is a yummy looking piggy for sure!
I'm loving this, Grace...I have never used apricot in a pork glaze, but I know it's got to be delicious!

vanillasugarblog said...

yes yes, very good combo. apricot is perfect with pork and chicken. what else was served with it? (is that too nosy? lol)

Marjie said...

I say OOOOHHHH! Sounds terrific! I love pork with fruit. I don't know why, but it needs fruit.

Nutmeg Nanny said...

I am one lucky girl. I have all of these ingredients in my house! Guess what I'm making :)

Ed Schenk said...

This looks deliscious. I will have to try the recipe!

Donna-FFW said...

I cook pork tenderloin so often, and am always on the lookout for new ways. This sounds fantastic, Ive never tried it like this. Delicious!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Miss Piggy seems to like pomegranates and prunes.

Faith said...

I'm not a pork eater and even I can say that this looks fantastic! I think I might have to try this with chicken breasts!

Apples and Butter said...

In my book, any sort of fruit chutney goes well with pork! This looks delicious!

Sook said...

What a pretty picture! :)

Chef Aimee said...

I had grilled pork chops tonight that were heavy on the pepper - apricots would have been a nice flavor, indeed! I love this! :)

Juliana said...

Apricot and porkloin...definitely right...you are absolutely right...must taste yummie!

foodhoe said...

you are correctomundo, I can just imagine the delectable aroma... must go get some chops immediately

Jacque said...

Oooh, interesting combination. I've got some dried apricots languishing on the counter... wonder if I could make them work.

Dinner looks delish!

Julie said...

He looks beautiful. Can come to my house for dinner any time :)

Jennifer said...

I adore rosemary with citrus fruits to pair with meats. The apricot preserves sound exceptionally good!!

shaz said...

Oh Grace, a woman after my own heart! Roast pork....drooooool! Never tried it with apricot before. Does wine count? It's grape juice after all :)

Deborah said...

Well, I wasn't too fond of my first try at pork chops and apples, but this sounds delicious!

Stephen said...

usually not a big fan of sweet and savory but this looks right up my alley. as long as I can have a side of grits with plenty of butter and fresh ground pepper than I'm happy. hmm and maybe some braised green too :)

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Mmmm, I haven't made a pork tenderloin in a while. You've convinced me I need to give this a try. Thanks, Grace!
~ingrid

Jessica@Foodmayhem said...

I like anything that starts with "this little piggy..." I've tried many fruits with pork and probably all work. One of my favorites was a pluot sauce.

Teanna said...

I LOVE pork and apricot! It is such a perfect marriage! And your dish has my mouth watering!

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

What a great recipe, I never thought of adding apricot preserve to pork. That must add just the right amount of sweetness.

Peter M said...

Pork with fruit is a natural, me likes apricot too! Now before I start thinking 9 1/2 Weeks, i shall depart. ;)

TKW said...

Pig...what's not to like? Looks great!

The Blonde Duck said...

Ben is a terrible Southrener. He won't eat pork.

Mrs. L said...

I must be one of the few that is NOT a fan of porkk and apples, but pork and apricot? Oh yeah!

Mimi said...

Looks amazing! Apricots and rosemary, yum, I might add a little dijon mustard for some zing.
Mimi

Sinful Southern Sweets said...

Girl you are right!! I think cranberries make Miss Piggy look ravishing! I'm going to have give those apricots a try, because Miss Piggy does surely look good in that orange! LOL! Great post!

Foodie with Little Thyme! said...

WOW! I love this! I now know what we will be having for dinner tomorrow! Thanks!

pam said...

Omg! That sounds amazing!

The Teacher Cooks said...

This is an interesting recipe. I love pork tenderloin but am not in love with fruit and meat. Yours does look very good.

Lisa | Authentic Suburban Gourmet said...

Sweet and savory - what could be better! A must try.

Robin said...

Yes apricot is a must with pork loin! But that rosemary does put it over the top.

Cookie baker Lynn said...

There's an award with your name on it over on my blog. :-)

Anonymous said...

omg yes. this looks awesome.
can imagine this with cranberry sauce too.
mmm.

La Bella Cooks said...

Brilliant! Your photo is stellar as well and the combo of the citrus with the pork is always a perfect fit. I definitely want to give this recipe a go.

LillSis said...

That looks great! I guess I've been missing out. My pork loin is usually covered in garlic and pepper. I've never eaten it with a fruit. Now, I'm curious!

Paula said...

I'm a big fan of pork, and I'll gladly devour the little piggie recipe you have posted here. I love pork and apricots together, and your version looks awesome. That photo is devine. Hog heaven, if you ask me! :-)

Velva said...

This dish looks fabulous in orange!!!! Beautiful.

Chef Fresco said...

This looks absolutely amazing! We have not made nearly enough pork recipes lately - the apricot addition sounds delicious!

Lori said...

That sure does sound delicious. SInce I canned some apricot jam- I think I could whip this baby up- no problem!

Kate at Serendipity said...

How come I never thought of this? I can TASTE it, it's so perfect. Wonderful idea!

www.dhaleb.com said...

Brilliant! I always got stuck with apples and pork. This dish sounds amazing and the pork looks so juicy! I'm hungry all of a sudden....

Joanne said...

I have a lovely recipe for pork chops with banana sauce from Cheryl and Bill Jamison's Born to Grill.

pigpigscorner said...

i think miss piggy loves all fruits! This looks and sounds amazing!

Unknown said...

This looks amazing!!! Ou can't have a pork tenderloin without a good sauce!

Lisa said...

This does look exceptional! I think pork goes with most any fruit flavor. I made a cherry barbecue sauce last summer that I served over pulled pork. I thought it was great.

Carolyn Jung said...

Apricot goes so well with pork. I have this glorious pork shoulder recipe where you roast it with dried apricot halves. It's incredible and perfect for a fancy dinner party.