Spicy Thai Tenderloin

So this is a recipe that I haven’t tried yet – we NEVER get to eat tenderloin because it’s so popular at the Farm Store – but it looked too good to pass up this Spicy Thai Tenderloin recipe from archives online.

Looks like it would be perfect for a date night! Let us know what you think when you try it.

Click here for a PDF version of this recipe.

Spicy Thai Tenderloin

For the Marinade and Dressing

1½ pounds boneless pork tenderloin (usually 2 tenderloins)

⅔ cup thinly sliced shallots (about 4 shallots)

⅔ cup chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems

5 tablespoons light brown sugar

6 garlic cloves, grated

5 tablespoons soy sauce

5 tablespoons peanut or grapeseed oil

Juice and zest of 4 limes

3-inch piece peeled ginger root, grated

2tablespoons Asian fish sauce

½teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste

1 to 2Thai bird, serrano or jalapeño chile peppers, seeded and minced

For the Salad

8 cups Napa or regular cabbage, thinly sliced

5 whole scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced

2 small Kirby or Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced

1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

1½ cups cilantro leaves

1½ cups mint leaves

1 cup basil leaves

1¼ cups roasted cashews or peanuts, toasted and chopped

¼ cup unsweetened coconut chips or large flakes, toasted

1. Pat pork dry with paper towel. In a bowl, combine shallot, cilantro, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, garlic, soy sauce, peanut or grapeseed oil, lime zest and juice, ginger, fish sauce, salt and chile. Pour a quarter of the mixture into a blender, add remaining sugar and purée until a smooth, loose paste forms. (Save the unblended mixture to use as dressing.)

2. Place tenderloin in a large bowl and spread the paste all over pork. Marinate at room temperature for 2 hours, or cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours; turn the tenderloin occasionally.

3. Light the grill or heat the broiler and arrange a rack at least 4 inches from the heat. Grill or broil pork, turning occasionally, until well browned and meat reaches an internal temperature of 135 degrees, 4 to 10 minutes per side depending upon the heat of your broiler or grill. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t overcook. Let meat rest while you prepare the salad. (Or, cook the pork 1 or 2 hours ahead and serve it at room temperature.)

4. In a large bowl, combine the salad ingredients, reserving the herbs, cashews and coconut. Whisk the dressing and use just enough to dress the salad, tossing to combine. Let sit for a few minutes for the flavors to meld, then right before serving, add herbs and toss again.

5. To serve, slice the pork. Arrange salad on a platter and top with sliced pork. Scatter cashews and coconut on top, drizzle with a little more of the remaining dressing, to taste.

Spicy Thai Tenderloin

Spicy Thai Tenderloin

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