Lunch / Dinner
Mediterranean Pork Bowls with grilled summer vegetables
Mediterranean flavors rule in this pork bowl, with a special shout-out of thanks to za’atar (read all about it below). The spice blend plays a starring role in the brightly flavored vinaigrette, plus, it seasons thin slices of pork tenderloin to perfection. Fresh summer veggies get into the mix along with couscous for a bowl full of yum that you’ll savor with each and every bite.
Ingredients
HEAT:
COMBINE:
SEASON:
Test Kitchen Tip
Zucchini can be easily subbed for the yellow (aka summer) squash, and if you prefer English cucumbers you can sub them for the regular ones.
What is Za'atar?
It’s an aromatic Middle Eastern spice blend. Za’atar contains dried herbs, sesame seeds, and sumac (a fruity astringent Mediterranean spice). The actual blend (i.e. what those herbs are and how all the ingredients are proportioned) varies widely, and recipes are closely guarded. The most common herbs used are thyme, oregano, marjoram, or a combination of them.
Instructions
Preheat grill to 350°. Brush grill grate with oil.
Heat water in a saucepan to a boil over medium; stir in couscous, cover, and remove from heat. Let couscous stand, covered, 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork before serving.
Combine lemon juice, ½ cup oil, ¼ cup parsley, ¼ cup mint, garlic, 1 tsp. za'atar, and ½ tsp. salt in a jar with a tight-fitting lid; shake vinaigrette to combine.
Season pork liberally with za'atar and salt. Coat pork, cucumbers, and squash with 2 Tbsp. oil.
Grill pork until grill marks appear, 1–2 minutes per side; transfer to a bowl. Grill vegetables until just tender on first side, 4 minutes; flip and grill 3 minutes more. Transfer vegetables to a cutting board; when cool enough to handle, chop.
Toss couscous, vegetables, and tomatoes with two-thirds vinaigrette; divide among four bowls. Toss pork with remaining one-third vinaigrette; add to bowls. Top bowls with remaining ¼ cup each parsley and mint.
Nutritional Facts
Nutritional Facts
Per serving
Calories: 569
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 38g 58%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 74mg 24%
Sodium 372mg 15%
Carbs 27g 9%
Protein 30g
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.