Pork Tenderloin Sliders With Chimichurri

Happy 4th of July, Everyone!

We have had a great week seeing Jon on a quick visit from Iowa while juggling homework in Thermodynamics, watching World Cup 2014, hanging out with his BFF Anthony, and anyone else he meets along the way.

In celebration of seeing him for a few days, he requested one of his favorite dishes--Pork Tenderloin Sliders with Chimichurri Sauce!  As you know, it is not the cheapest cut of meat! (Although, stores will typically have deals from time to time, i.e. 2-for-1, and I try to at least put 2 in the freezer.) Certainly, not a staple for any college cook or college budget by any means, but it is worth buying for those special days, celebrations, and occasional splurge!

This recipe is another fool-proof dish from Ina Garten aka The Barefoot Contessa on a great marinade--easy to do, well worth the time--but similar to the Jumbo Stuffed Shells (one of Jon's favorite pasta dishes)--it requires multiple steps.

The "green sauce", as Jon refers to it, is adapted from Tyler Florence, another great chef on the Food Network.

Take another challenge and try to make another one of Jon's multi-step, favorite dishes--just like the Stuffed Jumbo Shells--easy skill level, but more of them! Take these mouth-watering sammies to any picnic, fireworks, outdoor concert, or family get-together tomorrow! Be safe out there!

Equipment:
Two Ziploc Gallon Freezer Bags
Mixing Bowl
Whisk
Nutri-Bullet or Shake Blender (or good old fashioned arm strength and a mixing bowl)
Large grill skillet (or actual grill)
Baking sheet covered with foil

Ingredients:
2 pork tenderloins, silver tendon sheaths removed
Salt & Pepper
Slider rolls

Pork Marinade:
3/4 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1/2 cup olive oil
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 Tbls of fresh Rosemary, minced
1 Tbls of fresh thyme leaves
2 tsp Dijon mustard
Kosher Salt

Chimichurri Sauce:
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 jalapeños, seeded, diced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup fresh oregano, chopped
3 limes, juiced
1 1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper

Instructions:
1. Wash your hands and surfaces frequently and well when working with pork.
2. Preheat the oven to 350F degrees.
3. When working with pork tenderloin, you must remove a very fibrous, tough tendon sheath FIRST!
----find the shiny, silvery tendon
----slide a sharp knife underneath the tendon as closely as possible to avoid wasting precious meat
----trim the tendon very carefully

4. Make the Pork Marinade: Combine all in ingredients in a bowl and whisk together.

5. Double bag your ziploc bags and add the pork and Pork Marinade. Seal.

6. Let the meat sit overnight, but at a minimum x 3-4 hours.

7. Make the Chimichurri Sauce--2 options:
----Combine everything into a Magic-Bullet-type blender for a smooth sauce, or
----Chop everything by hand and use a drink shaker, like those seen in GNC stores for shakes
----Set aside the night before for more intense flavors. Can store for several days.

8. Preparing the tenderloin:
----after the meat has marinated properly, remove it from marinade and pat dry
----salt & pepper the meat and allow to come to room temperature
----prepare your skillet or grill in MED-HIGH heat
----sear each tenderloin x 3-4 minutes on all four sides.
----place tenderloins on the baking sheet and finish cooking in oven x 12-15 minutes
----remove tenderloins from oven and cover with foil to let rest x 10 minutes. VERY IMPORTANT!

9. Have your rolls toasted and ready.
10. Slice the tenderloins 1/2" thickness on the diagonal. Centers should be slightly pink.

Assemble these however you like, but the flavors of the meat and sauce alone are sufficient!

Party Sliders

Eventually I was going to have to try these bite size sliders that are being posted all over Pinterest and various food boards--my reason being that they are a fantastic idea for any college apartment hosting game day, the Sunday or Monday night football, March Madness, or any other event with a crowd.

After I tried them, it seemed self-evident that multiple variations exist:  Roast Beef & Cheddar, Caprese with pesto and mozzarella, or Turkey Club.  Really, experiment with this one, modify, try it out!  

Equipment:

Baking sheet with edges

PAM Spray

Knife

Small Mixing Bowl

Ingredients:

1 12-pack Hawaiian King Dinner Rolls, remove from packaging

Slices of honey ham

Slices of Swiss cheese

1/3 cup mayo

1/3 cup miracle whip

Sauce:

1 Tbls poppyseeds

1 1/2 Tbls mustard (grainy or yellow mustard)

1/3 cup butter, melted

1 Tbls onion, finely minced

1/2 tsp Worchestershire 

Instructions:

1. Wash Your Hands.

2. Preheat Oven 350F degrees.

3. Slice rolls horizontally and mince your onion.

4. Spread each side of the rolls with mayo / miracle whip mixture.

5. Add layer of ham.

6. Add layer of cheese

7. If you want tomatoes, pickles here...now's your chance.

8. Finish with the top half of the rolls.

9. Combine all ingredients of the sauce and brush over tops of the rolls.

10. Cover with foil and bake x 15 minutes (or longer) to ensure cheese is melting.

11. Remove foil and brown tops until golden brown.

12. Use a large knife to separate the rolls at the pre-cut lines.

13. Offer to the crowd.