Caribbean-Style Grilled Pork Tenderloin

For more surface and crust, butterfly the tenderloin. If you do, mix a double batch of rub so you're sure to have enough. If you don't have a mortar and are using ground spices, crush everything in a small mixing bowl with a wooden spoon.


Caribbean-Style Grilled Pork Tenderloin


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Servings: Serves four to six (Yields about 1/3 cup of rub, enough for four chops or two 3/4- to 1-lb. tenderloins)
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Ingredients
 
savings in
 
  • 1-1/2   tablespoons  ground allspiceOn Sale
  • 2     dried bay leavesOn Sale
  • 3   tablespoons  fresh thyme leaves, choppedOn Sale
  • 1-1/2   teaspoons  sweet paprikaOn Sale
  • 1/8   teaspoons  ground clovesOn Sale
  • 1/8   teaspoons  ground nutmegOn Sale
  • Scant 3/4   teaspoons  saltOn Sale
  • 1     habanero chile (cored, seeded, and ribs removed), finely mincedOn Sale
  • 2   small   cloves garlic, mincedOn Sale
  • 2     pork tenderloins (about 1 lb. each) or 4 pork chops, trimmed of fat and silverskinOn Sale

Directions
1.
Heat a gas grill to medium high, or prepare a charcoal grill. If you're using whole allspice, grind it in a mortar and pestle to a fine powder. If you're using ground allspice, put it in a small mixing bowl. If you're using fresh bay leaves, toast them briefly to dry. Crumble the bay leaves and grind them in the mortar with the allspice. Add the thyme and grind a few times so the leaves release their essence. Add the paprika, cloves, nutmeg, salt, habanero, and garlic; crush or grind until well combined. Pat the rub all over the meat. Grill uncovered, turning just a few times, until the meat is springy when squeezed, 18 to 20 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reads 150 degrees F. (The USDA recommends 160 degrees F, but I like mine juicier.) Transfer the meat to a platter and tent with foil. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Butterflied variation:
Make an incision down the length of the tenderloin, cutting two-thirds of the way into the meat and stopping a few inches above the end where the tail narrows. Open the tenderloin like a book, pressing the meat with the heel of your hand to flatten it evenly. The tenderloin should be a uniform 3/4- to 1-inch thickness. Repeat with the second tenderloin. Pat the rub all over the meat. Grill uncovered until the meat is springy when poked, 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through cooking. Transfer to a platter and tent with foil. Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

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