Molasses-Glazed Pork with Sweet Potatoes

From EatingWell: January/February 1999 — Subscribe Now!

Pull out the roasting pan for a hearty old-fashioned supper like Grandma used to make.

Molasses-Glazed Pork with Sweet Potatoes Recipe

6 servings

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 2 1/4 hours (including 1 hour marinating)

Nutrition Profile

Ingredients

4 cloves garlic, peeled
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 tablespoons molasses, divided
3 1/2 tablespoons lime juice, divided
2 teaspoons ground cumin
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 3/4-pound pork tenderloin, trimmed of fat
3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 medium red onions, cut into 8 wedges each
3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled, halved lengthwise and cut into 1-inch slices
1 10-ounce package frozen whole okra
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme, or 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

Preparation

Mash garlic and salt into a paste with the side of a chef's knife. Transfer to a large shallow dish. Stir in 2 tablespoons molasses, 2 tablespoons lime juice, cumin and pepper to taste. Add pork and coat well. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator, turning occasionally, for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Preheat oven to 450°F.
Whisk broth, remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons molasses, 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice and oil in a 10-by-14-inch roasting pan. Add onions, sweet potatoes, okra and thyme; season with salt and pepper to taste and toss well. Cover tightly with foil.
Bake the vegetables until sweet potatoes begin to soften, 25 to 30 minutes.
Push the vegetables to sides of the pan. Place the pork in center and pour any remaining marinade over it. Roast, uncovered, until just a trace of pink remains in the center and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 155°F, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer the pork to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice thinly on the diagonal. Serve with the vegetables.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: The pork can be marinated overnight.

Nutrition

Per serving: 286 calories; 7 g fat (2 g sat, 3 g mono); 64 mg cholesterol; 31 g carbohydrates; 25 g protein; 4 g fiber; 285 mg sodium; 872 mg potassium.

2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 other carbohydrate, 1 vegetable, 3 lean meat, 1/2 fat