Recipe of the Month: Pork Medallions with Five-spice Powder

By Mayo Clinic staff


Tip; If your market doesn't carry five-spice powder, make your own by stirring together 1/2 teaspoon each of crushed fennel seed or star anise, freshly ground pepper, ground cloves, ground cinnamon and ground ginger.

Serves 4

Ingredients
For the marinade

• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce 
• 1 tablespoon green (spring) onion, including tender green top, minced 
• 3 garlic cloves, minced 
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 
• 3/4 teaspoon five-spice powder 
• 1 pound pork tenderloin, trimmed of visible fat 
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 
• 1/2 cup water, plus 1 to 3 tablespoons as needed 
• 1/4 cup dry white wine 
• 1/3 cup chopped yellow onion 
• 1/2 head green cabbage, thinly sliced (about 4 cups) 
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf (Italian) parsley 

Directions 

1. To make the marinade, combine the soy sauce, green onion, garlic, olive oil and five-spice powder in a shallow baking dish. Whisk to blend. Add the pork and turn once to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, turning the pork occasionally. 
2. Preheat the oven to 400 F. 
3. Remove the pork from the marinade and pat dry. Discard the marinade. In a large, ovenproof frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook, turning as needed, until lightly browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add the 1/2 cup water to the pan. 
4. Transfer the hot pan to the oven and roast until the pork is slightly pink inside and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the centre reads 160 F. Transfer the pork to a cutting board, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rest for 10 minutes. 
5. Meanwhile, place the pan over medium-high heat. Add the wine and deglaze the pan, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits. Add the yellow onion and cook for about 1 minute. Add the cabbage and 1 tablespoon of the remaining water. Stir well, reduce the heat to medium, cover and simmer until the cabbage is wilted, about 4 minutes. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons additional water, if needed. 
6. Slice the pork tenderloin into 8 medallions. Divide the medallions and the wilted cabbage among individual plates and garnish with parsley. Serve immediately. Nutritional Analysis (per serving) 

Calories 237
Protein 26g
Carbohydrates 7g
Total fat 11g
Saturated fat 2g
Monounsaturated fat 7g
Cholesterol 74mg
Sodium 372 mg
Fibre 2g
Potassium 653mg
Calcium 54mg