Cuban-Style Pork Tenderloin with Saffron Soffrito Rice
This delicious Cuban-inspired dish features a perfectly spiced pork tenderloin served alongside aromatic saffron soffrito rice. Infused with a medley of flavors from garlic, bay leaves, and warm spices, this dish brings the vibrant tastes of Cuban cuisine to your table. A staple in my home cooking, each bite of tender pork paired with fluffy rice is sure to impress your guests. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or enjoying a family meal, this recipe is a reliable crowd-pleaser that guarantees satisfaction every time. Don't worry if you don't have anise seed; the dish is still full of rich, enticing flavors that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
4-6 servings
Servings
108.33
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil or vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (for cooking)
bacon
2 slices (chopped)
white onion
1 small (chopped)
green bell pepper
1 small (chopped)
chicken broth
2 3/4 cups (for cooking)
white rice
1 1/2 cups (for cooking)
saffron or turmeric
2 pinches or 1/2 teaspoon (for flavoring)
salt
to taste (for seasoning)
pork tenderloin
2 (trimmed, about 2 1/2 lbs)
garlic cloves
4 (cracked away from skin)
bay leaves
4 (for flavoring)
anise seed
2 teaspoons (for flavoring)
ground coriander
2 teaspoons (for flavoring)
ground cumin
1 tablespoon (for flavoring)
lime zest
from 2 limes (for flavoring)
McCormick grill seasoning
2 tablespoons (for flavoring)
extra virgin olive oil or vegetable oil
for coating (for rubbing)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
2
In a medium pot with a tight-fitting lid, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until the bacon is crispy, about 3-4 minutes.
3
Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the pot, sautéing for about 5 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
4
Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add the white rice, saffron (or turmeric), and a pinch of salt to taste. Stir to combine, then cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the broth.
5
While the rice is cooking, prepare the pork tenderloins. Make 4 slits in each tenderloin and tuck the cracked garlic cloves and bay leaves into the slits.
6
Place the seasoned pork on a nonstick baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine the anise seed, ground coriander, ground cumin, lime zest, and McCormick grill seasoning. Rub the oil evenly over the pork, then generously coat with the spice mixture, ensuring even coverage.
7
Roast the pork in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Remove the tenderloins from the oven and let them rest for 5-10 minutes for the juices to redistribute.
8
Slice the pork tenderloin and serve with the saffron soffrito rice, garnished with lime wedges if desired. Enjoy your meal with refreshing mojitos for a perfect pairing!
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
10g
Carbs
5.83g
Protein
0.33g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cuban-Style Pork Tenderloin with Saffron Soffrito Rice?
It is a flavorful Cuban-inspired dish featuring spiced pork tenderloin served with aromatic saffron-infused rice and a sautéed vegetable base known as soffrito.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 4-6 servings.
What are the nutritional values per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 108.33 calories, 5g of fat, 10g of carbohydrates, 5.83g of protein, and 0.33g of fiber.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) for roasting the pork.
How do I prepare the soffrito base for the rice?
Heat olive oil, cook 2 slices of chopped bacon until crispy, then add 1 small chopped white onion and 1 small chopped green bell pepper, sautéing for 5 minutes.
Can I substitute saffron in the rice?
Yes, if you do not have saffron, you can use 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric for flavoring and color.
How long does the rice need to cook?
After bringing the broth to a boil and adding the rice, cover and simmer on low heat for 15 to 18 minutes.
How much chicken broth is needed for the rice?
The recipe calls for 2 3/4 cups of chicken broth.
How do I season the pork tenderloin?
Make 4 slits in each tenderloin to tuck in garlic and bay leaves, rub with oil, and apply a mixture of anise seed, coriander, cumin, lime zest, and grill seasoning.
What size pork tenderloins are required?
You will need 2 pork tenderloins, totaling approximately 2 1/2 lbs.
How many garlic cloves are used for the pork?
Use 4 garlic cloves that have been cracked away from their skins.
What is the purpose of the bay leaves in the pork?
The 4 bay leaves are tucked into slits in the meat to infuse the pork with flavor during roasting.
What spices are in the pork rub?
The rub includes 2 teaspoons of anise seed, 2 teaspoons of ground coriander, 1 tablespoon of ground cumin, lime zest, and 2 tablespoons of McCormick grill seasoning.
What should I do if I don't have anise seed?
The recipe is still full of rich flavors even without anise seed, so you can proceed without it if necessary.
What kind of baking sheet should I use?
A nonstick baking sheet is recommended for roasting the pork.
How long should the pork roast in the oven?
The pork should roast for about 25 minutes.
What is the safe internal temperature for the pork?
The pork tenderloin is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
Why should the pork rest after roasting?
Letting the meat rest for 5-10 minutes allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the meat remains tender when sliced.
What is the recommended garnish?
The dish is best served with lime wedges for garnish.
What drink pairs well with this Cuban dish?
Refreshing mojitos are suggested as a perfect beverage pairing.
How much white rice is used?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 cups of white rice.
What type of onions are used?
One small white onion is used in the soffrito.
How much lime zest is needed for the spice rub?
Use the zest from 2 limes for the pork seasoning.
What are the main tags for this recipe?
Tags include cuban cuisine, pork, tenderloin, saffron rice, soffrito, and easy dinner.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
According to the provided data, the sugar content is null or negligible.
Can I use vegetable oil instead of olive oil?
Yes, you can use either olive oil or vegetable oil for both cooking the rice and coating the pork.
How much McCormick grill seasoning is required?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of McCormick grill seasoning.
How many pinches of saffron are used?
Use 2 pinches of saffron for the rice.
Do I need to trim the pork?
Yes, the 2 1/2 lbs of pork tenderloin should be trimmed before preparation.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).