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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Preserves add interest to any meal

Associated Press

There’s another use for the sweet jams, preserves and jellies most of us have tucked away waiting for the breakfast toast. A feature in Cooking Light magazine’s May issue suggests turning them into tasty sauces and glazes for quick entrees.

The following recipe is an unusually intriguing example of how this magic can work. Sweet fig preserves, tart vinegar and spicy chili paste combine to make a great glaze for pork (but it would also work well with chicken thighs). Basmati rice and black beans would make a good accompaniment to the pork.

Bonus: All this flavor comes along without much fat content; each serving contains less than 4 grams of fat.

Fig and Chili-Glazed Pork Tenderloin

From Cooking Light magazine’s May issue

1/2 cup fig preserves

1/4 cup rice vinegar

1 tablespoon chili paste with garlic

1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Two 1-pound pork tenderloins, trimmed

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cooking spray

Fresh chives, cut into 1-inch pieces, optional garnish

Prepare grill to medium-high heat.

Combine preserves, vinegar, chili paste, soy sauce and 1/4 teaspoon salt, stirring with a whisk.

Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Place pork on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 18 minutes or until thermometer registers 160 degrees slightly pink), turning occasionally and basting frequently with fig mixture. Garnish with fresh chives, if desired.

Yield: 8 servings (serving size about 3 ounces)

Nutrition information per serving: 193 calories, 3.9 grams fat (1.3 grams saturated, 18 percent fat calories), 24 grams protein, 14 grams carbohydrate, 74 milligrams cholesterol, 0.3 grams fiber, 274 milligrams sodium.