Global
Autumn Harvest Pork Tenderloin Bowl
A heartwarming dinner featuring tender pork tenderloin paired with sweet apples and crispy Brussels sprouts, all roasted to perfection in the air fryer.
Ingredients
- 500g pork tenderloin
- 2 medium apples, cored and sliced
- 250g Brussels sprouts, halved
- 500g baby potatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Cooking Steps
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
In a bowl, toss the halved baby potatoes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Place the seasoned baby potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook for 12 minutes.
While the potatoes cook, season the pork tenderloin with thyme, salt, and pepper. Add it to the basket after 12 minutes and cook for an additional 15 minutes, flipping the pork halfway through.
After 7 minutes, add the halved Brussels sprouts and apple slices to the basket. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt.
Cook everything together for the final 7 minutes until the sprouts are crispy and the pork reaches an internal temperature of 63°C (145°F).
Let the pork rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Drizzle balsamic vinegar over the vegetables for a finishing touch and plate the pork, apples, sprouts, and potatoes together.
Optional Enhancements
- Pork tenderloin can be replaced with chicken breast or tofu for a leaner option.
- Brussels sprouts can be substituted with green beans or broccoli.
- Baby potatoes can be swapped for quinoa or brown rice.
Plant & Growing Tips
Apples
- Plant bare-root trees in late winter or early spring in a sunny location with well-drained soil.
- Ensure proper pollination by planting at least two compatible varieties, or a self-fertile one, for good fruit set.
- Prune annually in dormant season to maintain an open canopy and promote healthy fruit wood.
Brussels Sprouts
- Sow seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost, then transplant to a sunny spot with rich, well-drained soil, spacing plants 45-60cm apart.
- Provide consistent moisture and side-dress with compost mid-season to support the long growing period and sprout development.
- Stake tall plants to prevent them from toppling over in strong winds or under the weight of developing sprouts.
Potatoes
- Plant certified seed potatoes in full sun in well-drained, loose soil after the last frost, burying them 10-15cm deep.
- "Hill" soil or compost around the emerging plants as they grow, covering stems to protect developing tubers from sunlight and prevent greening.
- Ensure consistent watering, especially during tuber formation, to encourage good yields and prevent scab.
Natural Pest Control
- For Brussels sprouts, hand-pick cabbage worms and slugs, dropping them into soapy water.
- Protect apple trees from codling moths by hanging pheromone traps or applying kaolin clay spray.
- Regularly inspect potato plants for Colorado potato beetles and their larvae, hand-picking them off.
- Use row covers over young brassicas like Brussels sprouts to prevent cabbage white butterflies from laying eggs.
Harvest
Apples
- Harvest apples when they have reached their characteristic color, are firm to the touch, and detach easily with a gentle twist.
Brussels Sprouts
- Begin harvesting sprouts from the bottom of the stalk when they are firm, tight, and about 2-3cm in diameter, working your way up.
Potatoes
- For new potatoes, harvest 7-10 weeks after planting when plants begin to flower; for storage potatoes, wait until the foliage has completely died back.
Storing & Freezing
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the air fryer for best results.
