A taste of Jamaica

Actually, I have little experience (read: never even tried cooking it until tonight) with Caribbean food. Never been Jamaica, and no clue what "the real stuff" tastes like. All that being said, you know what, this slow cooker Jamaican jerk inspired pork tenderloin (see why I didn't make that the title?) is fall-apart soft, moist, and perfectly seasoned. Translation: awesome. I coupled it with roasted sweet potatoes that were the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and spicy. This is so easy you can eat it on any given weeknight (where you can go home for lunch to set the slow cooker), or dress it up and serve to company.

And, before I forget, shout out to Brandt for trying this recipe first, giving me a sample of it, and essentially inspiring me to make it myself.

I woulda taken prettier pictures, but I was hungry. Look how moist. I was just pulling pieces off with my fork. And all those red pepper flakes. Mmm spicy.

Slow Cooker Jamaican Jerk Pork Tenderloin

inspired from The Examiner

2 C 99% fat free beef broth

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp dried thyme

1 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp allspice

1/4 tsp ginger

1/8 tsp cloves

1 lb pork tenderloin

Special equipment: slow cooker, meat thermometer

Put the broth into the slow cooker tub. Combine all the spices into a small bowl (yay you've just prepped your dry rub!). Evenly coat/rub the entire ternderloin with the spice mix. Place in the slow cooker. Cook for 5-7 hours (mine took 5), or until the meat thermometer reads 170 degrees. Eat.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1" pieces

olive oil for drizzling

1 tsp kosher salt

ground red pepper flakes - I used about 7-8 grinds and didn't think it was hot enough, but I like it spicy

Preheat oven to 450. Arrange the potato chunks in an even layer and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and grind the red pepper flakes. Bake for 30 minutes, tossing every 10 minutes so it cooks evenly. It's the best if the edges get all crispy.

Oh and one more thing. Apparently leftovers are awesome on a sandwich, which reminds me of the Best Sandwich I Ever Had down in Peru. I would make my leftover sandwich like this: Crusty kaiser roll-ish bread, slices of pork (reheated), thin slices of fried sweet potato, mashed avocado with a bit of salt. I'm drooling just thinking about it.