Pork Tenderloin and Mexican Quinoa with Honey Habanero Dressing

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After I made breakfast, I started on this quinoa salad and pork tenderloin. While the quinoa was cooking, I made the dressing. I always double the dressing recipe so that I have plenty for the marinade and the salad with some leftover for serving.

Six months ago, I had never bought habanero peppers before. I had quinoa a handful of times, and really did not enjoy kale. And now, they all make regular appearances at my dinner table. It is amazing what can happen when you add a few new ingredients into your every day routine. You start to look at things that you make all the time differently to see how you can change them up. Normally, I would make pasta salads when it is sweltering outside, but now that I have been using quinoa, I can’t think of a better ingredient for a salad base.

Sundays are one of the few days of the week that we do not have a lot to do. During the summer, we take it easy. A slow breakfast, a late lunch, and lots of playing. After I made breakfast, I started on this quinoa salad and pork tenderloin. While the quinoa was cooking, I made the dressing. I always double the dressing recipe so that I have plenty for the marinade and the salad with some leftover for serving. I got the salad together, covered it, and put it and the pork in the fridge to chill. Slapped some sunscreen on the kids and went to spend the afternoon splashing at the pool. When we got home, I let the pork warm up a little and threw it on the grill. I got the kids in the bath and into cuddly clothes, and 30 minutes later, we were eating dinner. Dinner that was 90% ready before we even left the house.

What Does this Salad Taste Like //

This is exactly the kind of thing that I want to eat on a hot summer evening. The salad is crisp and refreshing. Sweet and tangy. With a touch of floral heat from the habanero pepper. We are getting ready to go on a vacation, so I am trying to use what is in my fridge. I didn’t have any shredded cheese, but I had cheese sticks, so I just cut them into small cubes and tossed them in the salad. Normally, my kids would turn up their noses at a salad like that, but the hunks of cheddar made them not only try it, but eat it. I will now add cheese cubes to everything that I want them to try, it can’t hurt, right?

Pork Tenderloin and Mexican Quinoa with Honey Habanero Dressing Ingredients //

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 (15.5) ounce can red kidney beans (rinsed and drained)
• 2 ears fresh corn, off the cob
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 4 Sharp Cheddar Cheese sticks, cut into cubes

Honey Habanero Dressing Ingredients //

• 1/4 cup honey
• Juice from 3 limes
• 2 Tablespoons white vinegar
• 1/2 − 1 habanero, finely diced (to taste)
• 1 Tablespoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup cilantro
• 1/3 cup olive oil

How to Make // The Steps

Step 1: Bring 2 cups water to a boil. Rinse quinoa thoroughly. Add salt. Cook over low heat for 20 minutes, or until tender. Let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Set aside to cool.

Step 2: Add honey, lime juice, habanero, cumin, salt and pepper to a blender. I add about half of a habanero because I don’t want it to be too spicy for the kids, but feel free to add as much spice as you like.

Step 3: Add cilantro and run until smooth. Slowly add olive through the funnel.
Pour half of the dressing over two pork tenderloins. Marinate in the fridge for 2 hours.

Step 4: I used cheese sticks because it is what I had, but I really loved the little bites of cheese. I don’t think it would have tasted as good with shredded cheese.

Step 5: Add the beans, corn, pepper, green onion, and cheese cubes to a large bowl.

Step 6: Add cooked quinoa and about half of the dressing.

Step 7: Toss until combined, add more dressing if needed. Check for seasoning, add salt and pepper if necessary.

Step 8: Chill until ready to serve. Garnish with more cilantro and lime slices. To grill pork tenderloin: Cook on the grill over medium-low heat. Cook until internal temperature reaches 155 degrees, about 20 minutes.