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Elle Cresswell

Orchard Cider Pork with Velvet Sweet Potato Purée

A quietly indulgent plate of cider-glazed pork, served with a velvety sweet potato mash—warm, balanced, and made for unhurried, comforting evenings at the table.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: British
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 900 g pork tenderloin trimmed
  • 240 ml apple cider preferably unfiltered
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
  • 4 large large sweet potatoes
  • 120 ml double cream
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F), allowing it to come fully to temperature while you prepare the pork.
  2. Season the tenderloin with sea salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg, ensuring an even, delicate coating. Heat the olive oil in a heavy pan over a medium heat, then sear the pork on all sides until it develops a deep, golden colour—this is where the flavour begins to build.
  3. Transfer the pork to a baking dish and pour over the apple cider. Roast for 25–30 minutes, or until the centre reaches 63°C (145°F), the cider gently reducing around it as it cooks.
  4. While the pork roasts, peel and cut the sweet potatoes into even pieces. Simmer in lightly salted water until completely tender, then drain well. Mash with the cream, butter, and maple syrup until smooth and velvety, adjusting the texture to your liking.
  5. Once cooked, remove the pork from the oven and allow it to rest briefly—just enough for the juices to settle. Slice carefully, then arrange over a generous spoonful of the sweet potato mash. Finish with a light spooning of the warm cider juices from the dish.
  6. Simple, composed, and quietly indulgent—best served without rush.

Notes

For a little warmth, a subtle pinch of cayenne can be folded into the seasoning—just enough to gently lift the sweetness of the cider without overpowering it.
And while sweet potato offers a natural pairing, other roots work beautifully in its place. Parsnip, carrot, or even a blend of both can be softened and mashed to create something equally comforting, each bringing its own quiet character to the plate.