Looking for something special to make on Father’s Day? Look no further than this recipe for Chili-Roasted Baby Backs with Homemade Barbecue Sauce. Dang, they’re good! The bad photo doesn’t do them justice (I was in a hurry to get them on the table).

Also, don’t skip the steps of making the homemade sauce…it’s easy to make, rich and tangy (with a little heat from warm spices), and worth the extra effort!  And since you bake these ribs, you don’t even need to have a grill (although you could finish them on the grill once you sauce them).

My family LOVES ribs! Husband and our boys always request them for their birthday dinners and other special occasions. Recently, one of them asked with the sweetest of voices, “Mom, when can we have ribs again?” Then the other boy chimed in with hearty agreement. With those two precious faces and big brown eyes looking up at me, I melted and made these Chili-Roasted Baby Backs the next day. Enjoy!

Chili-Roasted Baby Backs with Homemade Barbecue Sauce
-recipe from Sunday Roasts by Betty Rosbottom

These baby back ribs are rubbed with a trio of peppers (chili powder, chipotle chili powder, and black pepper) along with other seasonings, then roasted for a couple of hours. During their last minutes in the oven, the ribs are brushed with a rich, dark barbecue sauce. When done, the glistening ribs have great depth of flavor and are tender to the bone. Plan on eating them with your fingers with plenty of napkins nearby! Serves 6 – 8.

4 baby back rib racks, about 2 to 2 1/2 lb each
1/2 cup cider vinegar
4 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt
1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Homemade Barbecue Sauce (recipe follows)

With a sharp knife, score (making long slashes about 1″ apart) the white membrane on the underside of the ribs. Place the ribs on a large, rimmed nonreactive baking sheet and brush all over with the vinegar. Refrigerate, uncovered, for 2 hours.

Arrange oven racks in the center positions and preheat the oven to 350°F. Have ready two large, rimmed baking sheets/trays lined with foil.

In a bowl, mix together the chili powder, cumin, brown sugar, garlic salt, chipotle chili powder, and black pepper. Rub the mixture over both sides of the ribs.

Arrange the ribs in a single layer meat-side up, on the baking sheets. Roast for 1 3/4 hours. Watch carefully and cover the ribs loosely with foil if the meat begins to brown too quickly.

Remove from the oven and brush both sides of the ribs with 1 cup of the barbecue sauce. Roast for 10 minutes, and then brush both sides of the ribs with another 1 cup fo the sauce. Roast for 15 minutes longer.

Remove the ribs from the oven, cover them loosely with foil, and let rest for 15 minutes. Cut the ribs between the bones into 3 to 4 rib sections and mound on a platter. Serve with the remaining sauce.

Homemade Barbecue Sauce
-recipe from Sunday Roasts by Betty Rosbottom

All the classic flavor notes — sweet, tart, hot, and spicy — can be found in this sauce. Although the ingredients are typical of those used in commercial barbecue sauces, this one is so much more complex and delicious. It can be prepared several days ahead and also freezes well. Makes about 3 cups.

4 teaspoon canola
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup ketchup/tomato sauce
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
2/3 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup unsulphered molasses
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons instant coffee powder
2 teaspoons yellow mustard
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

In a large, heavy saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. When hot, add the onion and saute until translucent, for 4 to 5 minutes. Whisk in 1 1/2 cups water, the ketchup/tomato sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, coffee powder, mustard, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring continuously. Lower the heat and simmer until the mixture has reduced to about 3 cups for about 30 minutes. (The sauce can be prepared 5 days ahead; cool, cover, and refrigerate. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Defrost and reheat when needed.)

Tags: baby back ribs, bbq, homemade barbecue sauce, oven-roasted ribs, pork, pork ribs, ribs

Breakfast burritos are easy to make and a great way to start the day! This recipe features fresh Mexican chorizo which is uncooked — not Spanish chorizo, a smoked sausage. Scrambled eggs, cheese, salsa, cilantro and avocado complete the burrito. Yum! Want to make a vegetarian version? Soyrizo (or soy chorizo) would be a good substitute. Enjoy!

P.S. breakfast burritos are great outdoor food…I like to make them when we’re camping.

Breakfast Burritos with Chorizo and Eggs
-recipe from Bon Appétit Magazine

Yield: Makes 4

12 ounces good quality fresh Mexican chorizo sausages, casings removed
4 chopped green onions
6 large eggs
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 9- to 10-inch-diameter flour tortillas
2/3 cup (or more) grated Mexican four-cheese blend (3 to 4 ounces)
1/2 cup (or more) chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup purchased tomatillo salsa
1 avocado, halved, pitted, peeled, sliced

Sauté chorizo in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through, breaking up, 5 to 6 minutes. Add onions; sauté 30 seconds. Transfer to bowl; cover to keep warm. Wipe out skillet. Whisk eggs in medium bowl; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add oil to same skillet; heat over medium heat. Add eggs; cook until softly scrambled. Remove from heat; cover to keep warm.

Warm tortillas in another skillet until pliable, 20 seconds per side. Divide chorizo among tortillas. Top with cheese, eggs, cilantro, salsa, and avocado. Fold short sides in and bottom flap up; roll up tortillas.

Tags: Breakfast, breakfast burrito, camping, camping breakfast, chorizo, Mexican chorizo

Stir-fries are a great weeknight meal because they’re usually quick and easy. Plus,  many stir-fry recipes combine protein and veggies so all you have to do is add steamed rice and you’ve got a complete meal. This particular recipe features super tender pork tenderloin and napa cabbage (aka Chinese cabbage) in a flavorful hoisin sauce. Yum!

As with any stir-fry, you want to have all the ingredients prepped, measured and ready to roll before you actually start cooking. This step can even be done the night before so that once you walk in the door to start dinner, all you have to do is heat the pan and grab the prepped ingredients out of the fridge.

In case you’ve never used Napa cabbage, it’s more leafy and has a milder flavor than regular cabbage. Check in the produce area of your grocery store or swing by an Asian market. The recipe calls for 6 cups of napa cabbage but next time I’ll add several cups more. It seems like a boat load of cabbage but it wilts down considerably (kind of like spinach).

Hoisin Pork with Napa Cabbage
-recipe adapted from Fine Cooking Magazine
 
Serves four.
 
1 lb. pork tenderloin, cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips (about 3 inches long)
1 tsp. kosher salt; more to taste
3 Tbs. hoisin sauce (try Lee Kum Kee brand)
2 Tbs. soy sauce
1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
3 Tbs. canola or peanut oil
2 tsp. minced garlic
6-8 cups napa cabbage, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces (3/4 to 1 lb.)
1 red bell pepper, cored, thinly sliced, and cut into 2- to 3-inch lengths
1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh chives or green onion tops (the dark green part)

In a large bowl, season the pork with 1/2 tsp. of the salt. In a small bowl, mix the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and vinegar.

Heat 2 Tbs. of the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet or large stir-fry pan over medium-high heat until shimmering hot. Add the pork and cook, stirring, until it browns and loses most of its raw appearance, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Add the remaining 1 Tbs. oil to the skillet. Add the garlic, and once it begins to sizzle, add the cabbage and pepper. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and cook, stirring, until the cabbage starts to wilt, about 2 minutes.

Add the hoisin mixture, the pork, and half of the chives and cook, tossing, until heated through, about 1 minute. Let sit for 2 minutes off the heat (the cabbage will exude some liquid and form a rich broth), toss well again, and serve sprinkled with the remaining chives.

Tags: chinese cabbage, Fine Cooking Magazine, hoisin sauce, Lee Kum Kee hoisin sauce, napa cabbage, pork stir-fry, pork tenderloin, stir-fry

Bacon lovers will devour this delicious hash loaded with potatoes, mushrooms, onions and, of course, bacon! For hearty appetites, you’ll want to double the recipe.

Don’t skimp on the bacon here…buy a good quality, thick-sliced bacon. Also, to speed up the morining cooking process, prep the onions and mushrooms and cook the potatoes the night before; just refrigerate everything until you’re ready to start cooking in the morning. Enjoy!

P.S. this would make a fantastic camping breakfast! 

P.S.S. I’m linked to Foodie Friday.

Morning Eggs on Mushroom-Bacon Hash
-recipe from  Chicken and Egg: A Memoir of Suburban Homesteading with 125 Recipes by Janice Cole

If breakfast hash brings to mind memories of something unrecognizable out of a can, this recipe will redefine this quintessential American food for you. Fried eggs top a jumble of crisp bacon, fried potatoes, and mushrooms, creating the perfect breakfast for a crisp fall morning. You may want to start the potatoes the night before, for less prep time in the morning. Serves 4.

8 slices bacon ( about 6 ounces), coarsely chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 cups cooked peeled russet potatoes cut into 1/2 inch dice (see Note)
Kosher salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 ounces cremini (baby bella) mushrooms, sliced (2 cups)
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 eggs

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the bacon and cook for 2 minutes, stirring. Stir in the onion and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the bacon is brown and crisp and the onion is lightly browned, reducing the heat to medium if the mixture is cooking too fast. Remove the bacon and onion with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Leave the bacon drippings in the skillet (there should be about 2 tablespoons).

Add the potatoes to the skillet and spread out in a single layer if possible. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Cook over medium to medium-high heat for 5 to 8 minutes, carefully stirring and turning the potatoes occasionally until lightly browned. Put the potatoes in a medium bowl, top with teh bacon and onion, and keep warm.

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet and add the mushrooms. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of the pepper. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes over medium-high heat, until the mushrooms are lightly browned and tender. Stir the mushrooms into the potato mixture.

While the mushrooms are cooking, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter in another large nonstick skillet. Add the eggs and lightly season with salt and the remaining 1/8 teaspoon of pepper. Cover and cook over medium to medium-low heat for 3 minutes, or until the whites are set but the yolks are soft. To use the same skillet, put the potato and mushroom mixture in a shallow baking dish and keep warm in a 300°F oven. Serve the eggs over the hash.

Note: To cook potatoes, gently boil 1 pound of diced potatoes in a medium saucepan of salted water over medium heat until tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Drain, cool under cold running water, and pat dry.

Tags: Breakfast, brunch, camping breakfast, Chicken & Egg by Janice Cole, Eggs, mushroom-bacon hash, potatoes

This recipe for Herb-Marinated Pork Tenderloins is a definite go-to entertaining recipe. It’s easy, delicious and doesn’t break the bank! The marinade gives the pork great herb/citrus flavor (just be sure to let it marinate for at least 3 hours…longer is even better).

I grilled the tenderloins instead of searing and roasting them in the oven. Serve with summery side dishes like Mediterranean Rice Salad or Green Bean, Red Onion and Roast Potato Salad with Rosemary Vinaigrette. Enjoy!

Herb-Marinated Pork Tenderloins
-recipe from Ina Garten, foodnetwork.com

Makes 6 servings.

1 lemon, zest grated
3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (4 to 6 lemons)
Good olive oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic (6 cloves)
1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Kosher salt
3 pork tenderloins (about 1 pound each)
Freshly ground black pepper

Combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, mustard, and 2 teaspoons salt in a sturdy 1-gallon resealable plastic bag. Add the pork tenderloins and turn to coat with the marinade. Squeeze out the air and seal the bag. Marinate the pork in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours but preferably overnight.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Remove the tenderloins from the marinade and discard the marinade but leave the herbs that cling to the meat. Sprinkle the tenderloins generously with salt and pepper. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large oven-proof saute pan over medium-high heat. Sear the pork tenderloins on all sides until golden brown. Place the saute pan in the oven and roast the tenderloins for 10 to 15 minutes or until the meat registers 137 degrees F at the thickest part. Transfer the tenderloins to a platter and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Allow to rest for 10 minutes. Carve in 1/2-inch-thick diagonal slices. The thickest part of the tenderloin will be quite pink (it’s just fine!) and the thinnest part will be well done. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm, or at room temperature with the juices that collect in the platter.

Tags: Barefoot Contessa, dijon, herb-marinated, Ina Garten, lemon juice, pork tenderloin, rosemary, thyme

Because I love Italian sausage, I always try to have some on hand so I can make simple pasta dishes like this one. The ragù gets flavor from the sausage, a little red wine, garlic and some fresh basil.  And, if you make it a day ahead, it’s a perfect meal for entertaining because all you have to do is reheat the sauce and cook the pasta. The recipe says it makes 6 first-course servings so you’ll probably want to double the recipe if you’re serving it as a main dish. Serve with a big green salad and some crusty bread and you’ve got a delicious meal!

Penne in Country Ragù
-recipe from epicurious.com

What to drink: Sangiovese wines are a classic pairing with robust pasta dishes. Try the Cantina di Montalcino 1999 Poggio del Sasso, a good-value Super Tuscan.

Yield: Makes 6 first-course servings

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 ounces Italian sweet sausage, casings removed
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/8 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
2 medium carrots, finely chopped
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
2 cups finely chopped canned whole Italian-style plum tomatoes
1 cup (or more) low-salt chicken broth
1/2 cup Chianti or other dry red wine
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

12 ounces penne pasta
1 cup freshly grated pecorino Romano cheese

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage, garlic, and crushed red pepper; sauté until brown, breaking up with fork, about 6 minutes. Add carrots, onion, and celery; sauté until beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Mix in tomatoes. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 1 cup broth and wine; simmer uncovered until liquid is slightly reduced, about 15 minutes. Add basil; cover and simmer until vegetables are very tender, adding more broth by 1/4 cupfuls if liquid evaporates too quickly and stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes. Simmer uncovered until ragù thickens to desired consistency, stirring often, about 10 minutes longer. Season lightly with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and keep refrigerated. Rewarm over medium heat before using.)

Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot. Mix in ragù, 1/2 cup cheese, and 2 tablespoons oil. Add cooking liquid by 1/4 cupfuls to moisten, if desired. Season with salt and pepper.

Divide pasta among plates. Serve, passing 1/2 cup cheese separately.

Tags: canned Italian-style plum tomatoes, chianti, country ragu, fresh basil, italian sausage, Pasta, penne

I love winter squash in every form! This spaghetti squash recipe is a creative way of using this humble and mildly flavored variety of winter squash. It’s simple, quick and a great way to get a good dose of your green and yellow vegetables.

For the squash, I scooped the seeds out before cooking. I used a large baking pan that held both squash halves and cooked them both at the same time in the microwave (about 15 minutes). Once it was cooked, I scooped out the flesh and tossed it with pepper, Parmesan cheese, and a little salt (not too much, though, because the Italian sausage mixture will be salty).

I used a nonstick pan so I didn’t need to use oil to brown the Italian sausage. After the sausage browned, I added about 4 handfuls of baby spinach leaves to the pan. After you add the spinach, let it wilt then taste the mixture before adding any salt. You may find that the sausage is salty enough as is. Spoon Italian sausage mixture over the shredded squash. Enjoy!

Spaghetti Squash with Sausage and Greens
-recipe from Every Day with Rachael Ray Magazine

Makes 4 servings.
 
1 spaghetti squash (about 3 1/2 pounds), halved lengthwise
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
12 ounces sweet Italian sausage
1 bunch spinach, stems discarded and leaves coarsely chopped
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Place a squash half, cut side down, in a large, microwavable dish. Add 1/2 cup water and microwave until tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat with the remaining squash half. Discard the seeds. Using a fork, comb the squash into strands into a bowl. Toss with the Parmesan and season with salt and black pepper.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook until no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Add the spinach and crushed red pepper and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes; season with salt and black pepper. Serve on top of the squash.

Tags: crushed red pepper flakes, italian sausage, spaghetti squash, spinach

This recipe for Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Apples and Onions is quick enough for weeknight cooking yet delicious enough for entertaining. When I first told Husband what we were having for dinner, I got a lukewarm response (apples and onions?). But after just one bite, he heartily agreed that it was a great dish.

I doubled the recipe and made two tenderloins because I wasn’t totally convinced that one tenderloin was going to feed four people. I like to err on the side of too much food rather than not having enough. Two tenderloins provided some leftovers which is always okay in my book.

I made a few substitutions only because I wanted to use ingredients I had on hand. For the tenderloins, after browning them on all sides, I then coated them in a mixture of Dijon mustard and stone ground Creole mustard (instead of the whole grain Dijon), and sprinkled each tenderloin liberally with dried thyme (about 1 teaspoon per tenderloin) instead of fennel seeds. I sauteed onions and Ambrosia apples (instead of Granny Smiths), placed the pork back in the skillet on top of the apples and onions, and put the skillet in the oven. After about 15 minutes, I removed the skillet from the oven, let the pork rest on a plate, then poured a mixture of dry sherry and apple cider into the skillet with the apples and onions, and let it reduce. Next time I’d double the apple, onion and wine mixture so there’s lots of that to serve with the slices of pork. Enjoy!

Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Apples and Onions
-recipe from Bon Appétit Magazine, February 2004

Serve with: Red-skinned potatoes roasted with thyme, and steamed green beans. Makes 4 servings.

1 large pork tenderloin (about 14 ounces)
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons whole grain Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons fennel seeds
1 large onion, sliced
2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1/2 cup dry white wine or apple cider

Preheat oven to 450°F. Season pork with salt and pepper.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork and sear until all sides are brown, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes. Transfer pork to plate. Cool slightly. Spread mustard over top and sides of pork; press fennel seeds into mustard. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to skillet. Add onion slices and apples; sauté over medium heat until golden, about 5 minutes. Spread evenly in skillet and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place pork atop apple-onion mixture.

Transfer skillet to oven and roast until apple-onion mixture is soft and brown and meat thermometer inserted into center of pork registers 150°F, about 15 minutes. Transfer pork to platter and tent with foil. Let stand 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, pour white wine over apple-onion mixture in skillet. Stir mixture over high heat until slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Cut pork on diagonal into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Spoon apple-onion mixture onto plates. Top with pork and serve.

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Tags: pork tenderloin, Quick Cooking, roasted apples, roasted onions, roasted pork, white wine, whole grain mustard

I love pork tenderloin because it’s difficult to mess up. This recipe for Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic-Cranberry Sauce is a perfect holiday dish because it’s easy, delicious, festive looking, and can easily be doubled or tripled to feed more people. The slightly sweet, slightly savory balsamic-cranberry sauce is a great compliment to the tender roasted pork.

It took longer than 2 minutes to get a good sear on the pork. To save time, you can start the sauce while the pork is browning. For the cranberry sauce, I used some leftover homemade Triple Cranberry Sauce which is lightly flavored with orange…it was perfect with the rosemary, onion and balsamic vinegar in the sauce. You could probably even make the sauce a day ahead to simplify things, then all you’d need to do is roast the pork, heat the sauce, and make a side dish or two. I served the tenderloin with bread stuffing and Green Beans with Caramelized Red Onion and Mushroom Topping.

Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic-Cranberry Sauce
-recipe from Bon Appétit Magazine, November 1998

To round out this menu, serve roasted squash, corn muffins and boiled green beans with orange zest. End with vanilla ice cream topped with warm chestnuts in syrup.

Yield: Serves 2, can be doubled

1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 8- to 10-ounce pork tenderloin
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 cup canned low-salt chicken broth
1/3 cup canned whole berry cranberry sauce
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Preheat oven to 450°F. Melt 1/2 tablespoon butter in heavy large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper. Sear pork on all sides, about 2 minutes. Place skillet with pork in oven. Roast pork until thermometer inserted into center registers 155°F, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and rosemary; sauté until onion softens, about 3 minutes. Add broth, cranberry sauce and vinegar and whisk until cranberry sauce melts, about 2 minutes.

Transfer pork to work surface. Scrape any juices from large skillet into cranberry mixture. Boil until sauce has reduced enough to coat spoon thickly, about 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Slice pork and serve with sauce.

I’m linked to:
Foodie Friday,
It’s a Hodgepodge Friday,
Favorite Things Friday,
Friday Favorites,
I’m Lovin’ It,
Feature Yourself Friday,
Just Something I Whipped Up Monday,

Tags: balsamic cranberry sauce, balsamic vinegar, chicken broth, Christmas, cranberries, holidays, onion, pork tenderloin, whole berry cranberry sauce

Pork tenderloin, the most tender cut of pork, is great for entertaining because it’s hard to mess up. Marinated and grilled, this recipe produces meat that is tender,  juicy and flavorful. The orange juice/zest, Worcestershire sauce, garlic and barbecue sauce combination creates a unique marinade and tastes nothing like plain ol’ barbecue sauce. I served the pork with mashed sweet potatoes (seasoned with butter and green onions) and green beans. Delicious!

Speaking of barbecue sauce, you’ll want to use a good quality brand for this recipe. I used Trader Joe’s Bold & Smoky Kansas City Style Barbecue Sauce (D.L. Jardine’s brand is another one I like).

After basting the tenderloins with the marinade, it’s a good idea to cook the pork on all sides for a few minutes to caramelize the sauce (since the raw pork was sitting in the marinade). Enjoy!

Backyard Barbecued Pork Tenderloin
-recipe from Sara Foster’s Casual Cooking: More Fresh Simple Recipes From Foster’s Market

This pork tenderloin is a standard special at the Market. It’s so tender that you can cut it without a knife, so it makes the perfect hot entree to serve to guests who will be eating standing up. Our catering customers often request it sliced so they can serve it with dinner rolls or biscuits as an alternative to ham sandwiches. Serves 4 to 6.

2 1-pound pork tenderloins
For the marinade
1 cup spicy barbecue sauce
Grated zest and juice of 1 orange
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Whisk the barbecue sauce, orange zest and juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and red pepper flakes together in a small bowl. Trim the fat and sinew from the tenderloins, rinse them, and pat dry. Place the tenderloins in a shallow glass bowl or in a large sealable bag. Pour the marinade over the tenderloins and turn the pork to coat the tenderloins. Cover the bowl and marinate the park for 30 minutes at room temperature or up to overnight in the refrigerator.

Prepare a hot fire in a charcoal or gas grill.

Remove the tenderloins from the marinade and season on all sides with salt and pepper. Grill the tenderloins for about 15 minutes, basting with the marinade while cooking and turning them to cook all four sides. Move the tenderloins to the side of the grill, close the grill or cover the tenderloins with foil, and cook and baste for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the tenderloins reads 145 degrees F for medium (longer, or until the thermometer reads 160 degrees F, for medium-well pork). Let the tenderloins rest for about 5 minutes before slicing.

Thinly slice the tenderloin and divide the slices evenly among four plates.

Note: Be careful not to overcook pork tenderloin. A perfectly cooked tenderloin may look a little pink in the center when you take if off the grill, but it’ll be moist and juicy after it’s rested for a few minutes do don’t be tempted to cut into it immediately.

Tags: barbecue sauce, bbq, entertaining, garlic, grilling, orange juice, pork tenderloin, red pepper flakes, Worcestershire sauce