There are some condiments that I always need to have on hand. One of them is sesame oil. Do you have some leftover chicken you want to liven up? Boom! Sesame oil. Do you want a fun vinaigrette? Boom! Sesame oil.
And in this recipe, pork is rubbed with spices and finished with sesame oil. Bonus? Easy wasabi barbecue sauce.
I served it in flour tortillas with cucumbers, but however you decide to serve it – your sinuses will thank you.
5-Spice Pork with Wasabi Barbecue Sauce
Serves 2.
Pork Ingredients:
- 1 (1 ½ lbs.) pork tenderloin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon 5-spice powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons sesame oil
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Remove the silver skin from the tenderloin.
Heat the olive oil in a large metal skillet over medium heat until hot, but not smoking.
Combine the 5-spice with the salt in a small bowl.
Rub the pork all over with the spice mixture.
Sear pork on all sides, about 5-7 minutes total.
Place the pork in the oven and bake for 13-15 minutes, or until it registers at least 150 with a meat thermometer.
Let the pork rest for 5-10 minutes.
Barbecue Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- ½ cup rice vinegar
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 – 1 ½ tablespoons wasabi paste
Instructions:
Saute the onion in olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. When the onion is softened, turn the heat to low. Add the rest of the ingredients and gently simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Serve pork with barbecue sauce.
(Photos by Launie K.)
