Smoky Dry Mole-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin

Smoky Dry Mole-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin
Mark Boughton Photography / styling by Teresa Blackburn Mark Boughton Photography / styling by Teresa Blackburn
https://i0.wp.com/spryliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/17826_tenderlion1.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Prep: 12 mins
  • Cook: 16 mins

Here is a simplified dry version of mole (MOH-lay) sauce, the traditional Mexican sauce made with nuts, chiles and chocolate. You'll have enough spice mixture for a couple of meals; store extra in an airtight container. To keep the pork moist, it is seared over the hot coals to "cook" the spice mixture, then finished (indirectly) on the opposite side of the grill. Grill fresh pineapple alongside the pork. Don't have a grill? Cook on a grill-pan over medium heat about 15 minutes.

Ingredients

1cup hardwood chips
2tablespoons cumin seed
1tablespoon fennel seed
1tablespoon mustard seed
1tablespoon onion powder
1tablespoon dried Mexican oregano or marjoram
1tablespoon salt
1/3cup Chili powder
2tablespoons cocoa
1/2tablespoon ground black pepper
1-- (16-ounce) pork tenderloin

Instructions

  1. Soak hardwood chips in a bowl of water.
  2. Toast cumin, fennel and mustard seeds in a dry cast-iron skillet until they begin to smoke, about 5 minutes.
  3. Combine seeds and remaining ingredients (except pork), in a spice grinder, mortar and pestle, or food processor. Grind to a powder.
  4. Coat pork with spice mixture. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
  5. Prepare charcoal grill. When coals have turned amber and become ashy on the outside, push them to one side. Remove hardwood chips from water and pile them on top of coals. Position grate on grill and heat until chips begin to smoke, about 10 minutes.
  6. Sear tenderloin over coals on each side 3 minutes, then move to the side of grill with no coals, cover grill, and cook 5 to 10 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.

Recipe courtesy of Chef Aaron Sanchez.

Nutritional Info *per serving

  • Calories 140
  • Fat 5g
  • Cholesterol 55mg
  • Sodium 97-mg
  • Carbohydrate 6g
  • Fiber 3g
  • Protein 20g