Grilled Pork with Anise-Seed Rub and Mango Mojo
Lose your mojo? Here’s a way to get it back. I found this Caribbean influenced pork recipe years ago in Gourmet Magazine and it remains one of my faves. The spicy pepper and anise seed perfectly complement the tangy, sweet mojo. I have this pipe dream of opening a cool, modern Jamaican restaurant in Chicago. Bamboo floors, loud chill Reggae music playing, giant rum drinks. Unfortunately the Hard Rock Hotel beat me to it with a restaurant called Mr. Brown’s Lounge. Haven’t been, but it sounds good. Never the less, if I do open my place, this pork dish will be the first thing on my menu. I paired it here with spicy jerk fries, but it would also go well with a black bean corn salad or Caribbean style coleslaw.
Ingredients
Mango Mojo
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1 large mango, peeled and coarsely chopped
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1/4 cup fresh lime juice
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1 large garlic clove
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1 T chopped fresh jalapeño (you can leave in seeds if you desire)
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½ to 3/4 tsp kosher salt (start with ½ tsp. you can always add more)
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2 T finely chopped fresh cilantro
Anise-Seed Rub
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1 T anise seeds
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3/4 tsp black peppercorns
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1 1/2 tsp salt
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1 1/2 tsp sugar
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3 T olive oil
Pork
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1 – pork tenderloin anywhere from 1.5lb to 2.5 lbs or 4 (3/4-inch-thick) loin pork chops, trimmed
Instructions
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Make mojo
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Purée mango, lime juice, garlic, jalapeño, and salt in a blender.
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Add cilantro and puree for 3 seconds.
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Make rub and marinate pork
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Finely grind anise seeds and peppercorns in an electric coffee/spice grinder
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with salt and sugar.
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Transfer mixture to a small bowl and stir in oil.
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Liberally brush the rub onto the pork.
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Place in a plastic bag and marinate for 1 hour up to 8 hours
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Grill pork
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Preheat grill to medium/high heat.
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Grill pork until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees, turning every 5 minutes so that the pork is evenly cooked, roughly 15 to 20 minutes.
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Transfer to a platter and let stand, loosely covered, 5 minutes.
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If using pork chops, grill roughly 4 to 5 minutes a side
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Slice pork and serve with mojo.
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Jamaican Jerk Oven Fries
Ingredients
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3 large baking potatoes (peeled or unpeeled your choice) cut into 1/4-inch-thick matchsticks
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2 T olive oil or avocado oil
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1 heaping T of Spice Hunter Salt Free Jamaican Jerk seasoning or 1 heaping T of McCormick Jerk Seasoning NOTE* if you use McCormick you may not need additional salt
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Heaping ½ tsp Kosher Salt
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Cooking spray
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
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In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with the oil, Jerk seasoning and 1/2 teaspoon salt (if using McCormick you may not need additional salt).
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Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray and spread the potatoes in a single layer.
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Bake until golden and crisp, about 35 minutes.
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Remove the fries with a spatula and if needed season with salt and pepper.
HEARTFUL RECIPE - Use heritage pork or get it from Whole Foods where their meat meets Animal Welfare Standards if possible. Butter in moderation is fine, unless you are completely dairy-free. - One of our real food recipes that focuses on veggies, protein, healthy fats and/or healthy carbs and doesn't include gluten, dairy, soy, refined sugar, corn or peanuts.
Write-up by Mark.