Jamaican Jerk Pork Tenderloin with Black Beans and Rice

Hello, all! So I think I’ve finally been able to work out my hectic schedule, and add in some time to keep blogging!

Princess Pants is oh so big now. She’s 3 1/2 months, and already in 9 month clothes! She’s growing way too fast. She is really close to rolling over, and smiles so much. We’ve gotten a few chuckles out of her, but she’s not fully laughing yet. She loves to stand up and look around. I call her my little meerkat.

With having two jobs, being in school full time, AND having Princess Pants, it’s safe to say that I am a busy woman. If we are what we eat, I am most definitely fast, cheap, and easy. LOL! With that being said, I recently bought a new cookbook that I am in love with: The Bon Appetit Cookbook: Fast Fresh Easy. The title says it all. All of the recipes are fast, fresh, and easy. What I think I enjoy most about the cookbook is that all of the recipes call for ingredients that you’ll be able to find at any local grocery store. There is nothing super exclusive or gourmet, and most, if not all, the recipes use ingredients that you’ll use time and time again.

So in my amazing new cookbook, I found the recipe featured here today, Jamaican Jerk Pork Tenderloin with Black Beans and Rice. DELICIOUS! Papa Pants loved it. Our favorite part was the bed of rice and beans I laid the pork on top of. It was the cilantro and light crunch of the onions that really won me over. The flavors were great, and it was a super easy meal. We’ll definitely be having it again!

ingredients

• 1 1/4 lb. pork tenderloin
• 6 tsp. salt-free Jamaican jerk seasoning, divided
  (I got mine from the farmer’s market in Downtown Long Beach)
• 2 Tb. olive oil, divided
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric
  (I bought the spice and then lost it -___-‘)
• 1 1/2 cups low-salt chicken broth
  (I ended up using the whole box)
• 1/4 tsp. (generous) salt
• 1 15-ounce can of black beans, drained
• 3 Tb. chopped fresh cilantro

directions

• 1 Sprinkle pork generously with salt and 5 teaspoons of jerk seasoning. Let stand while preparing the remaining ingredients.

• 2 Preheat the oven to 350°. Heat 1 Tb. oil in a heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork and cook until just browned on all sides, about 4 minutes. Transfer pork to a rimmed baking sheet and roast until 145°, about 20 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes.

• 3 Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 Tb. of oil in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add rice, turmeric, and remaining 1 tsp. of jerk seasoning and stir 1 minute. Add broth and generous 1/4 tsp. of salt and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer without stirring until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Stir in beans and cilantro. Mound rice and beans on platter. Slice pork and arrange atop rice. Drizzle with any pan juices.
  (I had to let my rice cook for an additional 20 minutes about, and had to add all of the rest of the chicken broth)

Things I’ll do differently next time:

• Soak the rice for about 30 minutes to a hour
  (Here’s an article with pictures on why you should do so- Basmatic: The Jewel in the Crown)
• Add some chili powder, red pepper flakes, and maybe some cumin. We like things spicy in our house!