Cacao-Achiote Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Malanga Mash and Warm Pineapple Red Onion Salad

Name: Cacao-Achiote Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Malanga Mash and Warm Pineapple Red Onion Salad
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Comida Latinoamericana
Ingredients: 1.3 lb pork tenderloin; 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 tsp ground annatto; 1 tsp ground cumin; 3 cloves garlic; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 3 tbsp olive oil; 1/4 cup orange juice; 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1.5 lb malanga root; 2 tbsp butter; 1/2 cup milk; 2 cups fresh pineapple; 1 cup red onion; 2 tsp brown sugar; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro; 2 tbsp lime juice

An original Latin American dish featuring seared and roasted pork tenderloin coated in an aromatic cacao, achiote, and cumin crust, served with creamy malanga mash and a warm salad of caramelized pineapple, red onion, and cilantro.

25 minPrep

35 minCook

60 minTotal

4Servings

Gluten-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

600 g pork tenderloin (limpio)
8 g unsweetened cocoa powder (for the crust)
5 g ground annatto
2 g ground cumin
9 g garlic (chopped, divided)
1 g dried oregano
6 g salt (divided)
2 g black pepper (divided)
45 ml olive oil (divided)
60 ml orange juice (fresh)
15 ml apple cider vinegar
700 g malanga root (pelada and diced)
30 g butter
120 ml milk (hot)
250 g fresh pineapple (diced small)
120 g red onion (en pluma fina)
8 g brown sugar
15 g fresh cilantro (chopped)
30 ml lime juice

Nutrition facts

per serving

478 kcal

Calories

31 g

Protein

29 g

Carbs

26 g

Fat

4 g

Fiber

25 g

Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

Dairy

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 400 °F / 200 °C.
2
In a small bowl, mix the cocoa powder, ground annatto, cumin, 2 minced garlic cloves, dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon olive oil, orange juice, and apple cider vinegar until a paste forms.
3
Pat the pork tenderloin dry with paper towels and coat it all over with the cacao-annatto paste. Let it rest for 10 minutes while you prepare the other components.
4
Place the malanga in a pot with enough water to cover and add 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 18 to 22 minutes, until very tender.
5
Meanwhile, heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sear the pork tenderloin for 2 to 3 minutes per side until browned.
6
Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast the pork for 14 to 18 minutes at 400 °F / 200 °C, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 °F / 63 °C. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 8 minutes before slicing.
7
In another skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the red onion and the remaining garlic clove, and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the fresh pineapple, brown sugar, remaining salt, and remaining black pepper. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring, until the pineapple lightly caramelizes and the onion softens.
8
Turn off the heat for the warm salad and add the lime juice and fresh cilantro. Mix well and set aside.
9
Drain the malanga and mash it with the butter and warm milk until smooth. Adjust the texture and season to taste with salt if needed.
10
Serve a bed of malanga mash, top with sliced pork tenderloin, and finish with the warm pineapple and red onion salad.

Chef tips

For a silkier mash, mash the malanga while it is still very hot. If you want deeper color and aroma, add an extra pinch of annatto when searing the pork.

Substitutions

You can substitute the malanga with cassava or yellow potatoes. Pineapple can be replaced with firm mango, and apple cider vinegar with pineapple vinegar or white wine vinegar.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

Illustrative image
Ninja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
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Illustrative image
Cosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
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Illustrative image
TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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