Recipe Friday 1/25: Pork Loin Skewers

Happy Friday yet again! For this weekend I am giving you a recipe for kebabs, but a very easy and healthy recipe that calls for pork tenderloin. It's a leaner cut which means a healthy meal for you to keep up the good work in the new year. Pork loin is tender and delicious and perfect for cubing up and skewering for this dish. Often times it can be a little pricy, so you can choose another cut if you wish, something cheaper. The marinade is simple and full of flavor without a lot of ingredients. I have paired it with an apple chutney to serve with it, because as you know apples and pork are a great combo! These skewers can be a great dinner, served with the chutney and maybe some sauteed kale, or over saffron rice, and it can also transition to a party appetizer as it is a skewer and able to be passed around and eaten easily as finger food. Enjoy this dish with a great sauvignon blanc, or a lighter red wine like a beaujolais (gamay) or a pinot noir, and make tonight's dinner a healthy and flavorful one... and as always Happy Cooking.

Pork Skewers
1 pork tenderloin (1lb), cut into 1 1/2in pieces
2 lemons, juiced, the zest of 1
3 Tblspn olive oil
2 garlic cloves, zested or minced fine
1 Tblspn chopped fresh thyme
lemon herb salt and pepper to taste

* preheat the oven to 400 degrees. soak the wooden skewers in water for about 15 min so they don't burn. While they are soaking, marinate the pork in the olive oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Once the skewers are soaked skewer the meat, place on a baking sheet and cook for 30 min or until the pork is cooked, turning once half way through. Remove and serve with apple & onion chutney.


Apple and Onion Chutney
1/4 cup olive oil
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup Sherry wine vinegar
2 small Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, cut into 1/2in pieces
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, large chunks, just to infuse flavor
1-2 cups water or chicken stock
salt and pepper to taste

* Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until golden, about 30 minutes. Stir in both vinegars. Add apples, sugar, and ginger. Reduce heat to medium and cook until apples are tender, about 15 more minutes. Add water or chicken stock as needed and cook until desired texture is reached. Salt and pepper to taste.