Sauce sweetly dresses pork tenderloin

The technique for cooking the tenderloin is nothing new: sear, and finish in the oven. But the sauce might surprise you. It’s wine-dark and intensely fruity, with depth from the bourbon. And I don’t get to say this about a recipe very often: No chopping required.

For a nonalcoholic version, use unsweetened apple cider instead of bourbon. You’ll need an instant-read thermometer.

Serve with sugar snap peas or a mash of spring peas or fingerling potatoes.

Adapted from “A Southern Gentleman’s Kitchen,” by Matt Moore (Oxmoor House, 2015).

Cast-Iron Pork Tenderloin With Blackberry Bourbon Barbecue Sauce

4 servings

1 1/4-pound pork tenderloin

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon kosher salt

3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 cups fresh blackberries

1/4 cup molasses

1/4 cup ketchup

1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon Kentucky bourbon (see headnote)

1/2 teaspoon hot sauce

Place a large cast-iron skillet in the oven; preheat to 425 degrees.

Trim off and discard the silver skin from the meat. Rub the oil over the tenderloin, then season with salt and pepper.

Combine the blackberries, molasses, ketchup, mustard, red wine vinegar, bourbon, a pinch of salt and the hot sauce in a blender or food processor; puree until smooth. Strain into a small saucepan, pushing the mixture through with a flexible spatula. Discard the seeds.

Cook the mixture over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.

Meanwhile, transfer the hot skillet to the stove top; place over medium-high heat. Add the pork tenderloin, sear for 2 minutes all around, then return the skillet to the oven. Roast for about 8 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the meat registers 145 degrees.

Transfer the tenderloin to a cutting board and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Let it rest for 5 minutes, then cut it on the diagonal into 1/2-inch slices. Arrange on a platter or plates; spoon the blackberry bourbon sauce over them. Serve warm.

Per serving (using half the sauce): 250 calories, 29 g protein, 13 g carbohydrates, 8 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 70 mg cholesterol, 710 mg sodium, 2 g dietary fiber, 11 g sugar