Cajun Pork with Tangy Pineapple Glaze

seriously. freaking. delicious.

new fave.

i halved this for my little family, but i could eat this for a week straight, so next time... 

guess what?  i'm making this full recipe.

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

Pork Brine

• 2 (14- to 16-ounce each) pork tenderloins trimmed of excess fat
• 3 tablespoons salt
• 3 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 cup ice cubes

Cajun Rub

• 1 tsp. EACH salt, garlic powder, chili powder, ground cumin, brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp EACH pepper, onion powder, dried thyme, smoked paprika

Tangy Pineapple Glaze

• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup (not breakfast imitation syrup)
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  
• 1 tablespoon French/yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
  
• 1-2 tablespoons cider vinegar (2 for "tangier")
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (I used 2 drops lemon essential oil.)
• 1 teaspoon reserved Cajun Rub Spices from above
• Add later:
• 1 8 oz. can crushed pineapple in juice

Directions:

1. In a gallon-size freezer bag, mix salt with warm water. Add the remaining Pork Brine ingredients, including the pork. Brine for exactly 20 minutes then remove pork from brine and pat dry.
2. The pork becomes mealy if left in the brine any longer.
3. Meanwhile, whisk together the Cajun Rub spices in a small bowl. Remove 1 teaspoon for the Tangy Pineapple Glaze. Whisk together remaining rub spices with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Rub the loins all over with this Wet Rub. Set aside.
4. Whisk together all of the Tangy Pineapple Glaze ingredients EXCEPT for crushed pineapple. Remove 1/4 cup Glaze for basting and set aside (“Basting Glaze”).  Add the remaining Glaze to a small saucepan along with crushed pineapple (“Pineapple Glaze”). Set aside.
5. Preheat oven to 425 F degrees.
6. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. When oil is very hot, add pork tenderloin. Sear each side until browned, approximately 1-2 minutes per side. Place tenderloin on rack in shallow roasting pan or on a lightly greased rack placed on a baking sheet and baste with half of the Basting Glaze.
7. Roast at 425F degrees F, for approximately 25 to 30 minutes, basting once with remaining Basting Glaze after 15 minutes. When done, an internal thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the tenderloin should register between 145 and 150 degrees F (63 and 65 degrees C). This means the pork will be juicy and slightly pink in the middle. Let cooked pork stand 10 minutes before slicing.
8. Meanwhile, heat Pineapple Glaze in the small saucepan just until warmed.
9. To serve, slice tenderloin into thin slices and top with Tangy Pineapple Glaze.

*www.carlsbadcravings.com