Here’s an easy and delicious way to flavor pork tenderloin. It’s a sweet and sour sauce made with apricot jam and apple cider vinegar, that adds a tangy flavor and takes only 2 to 3 minutes to make.

I thought barley would be a nice side dish but didn’t want to spend a lot of time or another pot to cook it. So, using quick-cooking barley, I made the barley and green beans in the microwave oven. It’s easier, minimizes cleanup and turns out the same as if made on the stove.

Any type of green vegetable such as broccoli florets or snow peas can be used instead of green beans.

Look for quick-cooking barley in the supermarket.

Orange marmalade can be used instead of apricot jam.

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Sweet and Tangy Sauced Pork Tenderloin

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup apricot jam

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

3/4 pound pork tenderloin

Olive oil spay

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Mix apricot jam, apple cider vinegar and mustard together in a small bowl and set aside. Cut tenderloin into 1-inch slices and press with the back of a large spoon to about 1/2-inch thick. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and spray with olive oil spray. Add pork slices and saute 2 minutes turn over and saute 2 more minutes, A meat thermometer should read 145 degrees. Saute another minute or 2 if needed.

Remove pork to two dinner plates and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Add the sauce to skillet and stir until jam melts and sauce begins to thicken about 2 to 3 minutes. Spoon sauce over pork slices.

Yield 2 servings.

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Green Beans and Barley

INGREDIENTS

1 cup fat-free, no-salt-added chicken broth

1/2 cup quick-cooking barley

1/2 pound green beans cut into 1 to 2-inch pieces

2 teaspoons olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Place chicken broth and quick cooking barley in a large microwave safe bowl. Cover the bowl with a plate or plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Remove bowl from microwave and add the green beans. Cover with the plate and microwave 5 more minutes. Remove from the microwave and keep the cover on the bowl while you make the pork. Add oil and salt and pepper to taste and serve with the pork.
Yield 2 servings,

Recipes by Linda Gassenheimer/Tribune News Service