Caramelized Pork Loin with Apples

2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp red pepper
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
1 - 2 1/2 lb pork loin
olive oil
2 med onions, cut into wedges
1/3 c balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp butter
6 apples, peeled and cut into wedges

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425°.

Step 2

Combine first 5 ingredients in a small bowl.

Step 3

Rub garlic over surface of trimmed pork loin. Heat a large skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add pork and onion; cook 10 minutes or until browned on all sides, turning occasionally.

Step 4

Place the pork in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle the sugar mixture over roast. Arrange the onion around pork, and drizzle with vinegar. Bake at 425° for 20 minutes.

Step 5

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add apples, and sauté 5 minutes or until golden.

Step 6

Remove the pork from oven, and arrange apples around pork; reduce heat to 350°, and cook an additional 20 minutes or until pork is done.

Step 7

Pour pan drippings into a medium saucepan, and cook over medium-high heat until reduced to 1/3 cup (about 14 minutes). Drizzle over pork, apples, and onion.

Goes well with roasted sweet potatoes with maple-thyme glaze (from Vegetables Illustrated).