- 2 medium Granny Smith apples
- ½ medium lemon
- 7 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 pork tenderloins (about 1 lb. each), trimmed and cut in half crosswise
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 large shallots, finely minced
- ¼ cup Calvados or Cognac
- ¼ cup apple cider
- ½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
Turn your Sunday dinner table into the corner table at a French bistro with a meal that incorporates juicy pork tenderloin and a few French cuisine staples like fresh butter, cream, shallots, apples, and thyme.
ingredients
directions
 1. Set a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F. Peel, core, and cut each apple into eight wedges, rubbing the cut edges with the cut side of the lemon half as you go, and then juice the lemon half into a small bowl and set aside. In a 10-inch skillet, melt 2 Tbs. of the butter with the sugar over medium-high heat. Add the apple wedges and cook, turning halfway, until soft and a rich amber color, about 8 min. (reduce the heat to medium if they start to burn). Set aside and keep warm. |
 2. Pat the tenderloins dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a 12-inch ovenproof skillet (don’t use nonstick) over medium-high heat until very hot. Sear the pork on all sides until nicely browned, about 5 min. total. Put the skillet in the oven and roast until an instant- read thermometer inserted in the center of the pork registers 140° to 145°F, 10 to 15 min. Transfer to a warm plate (don’t clean the skillet), tent with foil, and let rest for 10 min. |
 3. Set the skillet over medium heat and add 2 Tbs. butter. When it melts, add the shallots and cook until soft and translucent but not browned, about 3 min. Remove the pan from the heat and add the Calvados. Return the pan to the stove, raise the heat to medium high, and boil until the Calvados is almost gone, 1 to 2 min. Add the cider and thyme; simmer until the liquid is reduced by about half, 2 to 3 min. Add the cream and cook over very low heat until the sauce is golden and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 min. Cut the remaining 3 Tbs. butter into 1/2-inch cubes and swirl them into the sauce. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and 1/2 tsp. of the reserved lemon juice or to taste. Slice the pork and serve with the warm apples and sauce. |
