Sliced Grilled Pork Tenderloin BBQ Sandwiches with Apples and Red Onions

Aired on: November 24, 2011, November 24, 2010

These sammies are a great alternative to take-out!

Ingredients

For the Maple BBQ Sauce:
1 cup ketchup
2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/4 cup dark amber maple syrup
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon allspice, 1/3 palmful
Coarse black pepper
1 large pork tenderloin, about 1 1/4 pounds, well-trimmed
EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for drizzling
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons butter
2 small, firm Gala or other crisp apples, thinly sliced
Freshly grated nutmeg
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1 large bundle watercress, trimmed and cleaned
Juice of 1/2 lemon
4 crusty oblong rolls
White sharp cheddar cheese – optional

Yields: Serves 4

Preparation

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Combine ingredients for the Maple BBQ sauce in pot and bring to a bubble then reduce heat to low and simmer gently 20-25 minutes to thicken.

At the same time, heat grill pan or cast-iron skillet. Season the tenderloin well with salt and pepper, and drizzle with EVOO. Cook over medium-high heat to brown all over then transfer to oven to cook through, 20-25 minutes.

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat and add apples. Season with nutmeg; add onion, salt and pepper then sauté to tender-crisp, 5-6 minutes.

Dress the watercress with lemon juice, EVOO, salt and pepper.

Slice pork, arrange on rolls and top with lots of sauce or toss the pork slices in the sauce before piling on rolls. Melt cheese, if using, over the top of pork under a hot broiler then top with apples and onions, and watercress, and set bun tops in place.