Tex-Mex Pork with Charred Corn Salad

I am trying to incorporate more salads into dinner - while we do have salad as a side dish there have only been a handful of times where I have actually served up a main salad for dinner.  I have no explanation really as a really tasty salad is quite satisfying that's for sure.  With this summer already being especially warm it is actually a perfect meal - it's still meat and veg after all.

Tonight I had decided on using pork fillets.  Normally one of the family favourite pork meals is 

Chinese Roast Pork which we normally serve with an Asian style salad and rice paper rolls.  This time I thought I would steer away from the Asian flavours and try the family with Tex Mex.

We all love Mexican food in the Murray house so in all honesty this was a no brainer when it came to the flavours.  Can you actually imagine a world without Mexican food and all the vibrant flavours?  I could not that's for sure and I don't think most of my family or friends couldn't either.  Nachos such as Spicy Chicken Nachos, Quesadilas including one of the kids favourites Chicken and Corn Quesadilas and of course Enchiladas (Chorizo and Smoky Beef Enchiladas, Beef and Capsicum Enchiladas)  to name a few are staple in our house including Homemade Taco Seasoning.  Have a look here for more Mexican dishes we have made.

So now for something completely different, a dry rub marinade for the pork fillets that was full of vibrant flavours such as smoked paprika, cumin, oregano and cayenne pepper - it smelt delicious even while preparing.  For something with a lot of fragrance the preparation was very minimal.

The salad itself was quite basic also.  The corn was chargrilled until just browning.  The charring of the corn gives it such a different flavour and texture.  Corn is naturally sweet and the corn was a little crunchy and soft with that flame grill taste.  The combination of the lime dressing and the salad made my tastebuds dance and this combined with the smoky mexican flavours of the pork was fantastic.

Tex-Mex Pork with Charred Corn Salad

(Recipe adapted from Weight Watchers Australia)

Serves: 4

SmartPoints per serve: 4

3 teaspoons ground cumin

3 teaspoons ground smoked paprika

2 tablespoons dried oregano

1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

480 grams trimmed pork fillet

3 fresh corn husks removed

1 punnet cherry tomatoes

1⁄3 cup fresh coriander, coarsely chopped

1⁄3 cup fresh basil, torn

1⁄2 small red onion, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1/2 tablespoon olive oil

salt

freshly ground black pepper

2 cups baby spinach leaves

cooking spray

Combine the cumin, paprika, oregano and pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle pork all over with the spice mixture.

Lightly spray a chargrill or barbecue with oil and heat on medium heat. Cook the pork and corn, turning, for 10 minutes or until cooked through and browned. Cover pork with foil and set aside for 5 minutes to rest. Thickly slice.

Meanwhile, using a sharp knife, remove the kernels from the cobs. Place in a large bowl with the tomato, coriander, basil and onion.  Toss gently to combine.

In a small jug combine the lime juice, oil, salt and pepper.  Stir to mix well.

Serve pork with rocket and corn salad.

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)