Pork Sliders with Bacon Onion Jam

Yield:
8 servings

Preparation Time:
20 min; Cook: 1 hr, 10 min

This is an appetizer perfect for a large party because it is easy to make ahead. The sliders are good warm or at room temperature. Serve with fresh raw vegetables and dip.

Ingredients:

  1. 2 (1 1/4 pound) pork tenderloins, silverskin trimmed
  2. 2 teaspoons lime zest, finely grated
  3. 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  4. 2 teaspoons chili powder
  5. 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
  6. 24 slider or dinner rolls, split
  7. 2 cups baby watercress or arugula
  9. Bacon-Onion Jam:
  10. 8 slices thick cut bacon, cut crosswise into 1- inch length pieces
  11. 2 pounds large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  12. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  13. 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  14. 1/2 cup brewed coffee (not dark roast), OR bourbon
  15. 1/4 cup cider vinegar
  16. 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar
  17. 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced OR 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  18. Pork Tenderloin:
  20. Sliders:
Directions:

Pork Tenderloin:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F

Fold back thin end of each tenderloin and tie down with a loop of kitchen twine or plain dental floss.

In small bowl, rub lime zest and salt together with fingertips to infuse salt. Stir in chili powder. Rub chili mixture all over tenderloins.

In large ovenproof skillet, heat oil over moderately high heat. Add tenderloins and cook, turning occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer skillet with tenderloins to oven and cook until internal temperature reaches between 145 degrees F. (medium-rare) to 160 degrees F. (medium), 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer tenderloins to carving board and let stand 3 minutes.

(For cold sliders, tenderloins can be cooled, covered and refrigerated for up to 1 day.) Discard strings from tenderloins. Thinly cut tenderloins crosswise into 24 slices each for a total of 48 slices.

Bacon-Onion Jam:
In large skillet, cook bacon over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp and brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Reserve 3 tablespoons bacon fat, discard the rest.

In batches, covering after each addition, add onions to skillet and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until they all wilt and fit into the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until onions are very tender and golden brown, about 30 minutes.

Stir in reserved bacon with the coffee, vinegar, brown sugar and thyme and bring to a boil over moderately high heat. Boil, stirring often, until liquid is syrupy and reduced to a few tablespoons, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool. Makes about 2 cups. (Jam can be covered and refrigerated for up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature before using.)

Sliders:
Spread bottoms of slider rolls with equal amounts of bacon-onion jam (about 1 heaping tablespoon). Add 2 slices of pork tenderloin, a few watercress leaves and top with bun. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature.

Courtesy of the National Pork Board


TDS 3