Sweet potatoes, raisins and pineapple balances the spicy flavors of this Southwestern pork stew. Make it a meal: Serve with brown rice and Mexican Coleslaw.

Makes 6 servings, 1 1/4 cups each

ACTIVE TIME: 30 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 50 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

12 ounces pork tenderloin, trimmed
4 cups water
2 small onions, 1 halved, 1 sliced
4 cloves garlic, 2 whole, 2 minced
3 black peppercorns
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 28-ounce cans whole tomatoes, drained and chopped
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
1 1/2 tablespoons raisins
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon adobo sauce or chile-garlic sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch of ground cloves
1 cup diced fresh pineapple
8 green olives, pitted and coarsely chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1. Combine pork, water, halved onion, whole garlic, peppercorns and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer; cook, partially covered, over low heat until the pork is no longer pink, 30 to 40 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sliced onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, minced garlic, tomatoes, sweet potato, raisins, sugar, adobo sauce (or chile-garlic sauce), cinnamon, oregano and cloves. Bring to a simmer; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potato is just tender, about 15 minutes.
3. Transfer the pork to a cutting board and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine sieve, reserving 3/4 cup. (Refrigerate or freeze extra broth for another use.)
4. Add the pork, reserved cooking liquid, pineapple and olives to the vegetable mixture. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. Stir in cilantro.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 152 calories; 4 g fat (1 g sat, 3 g mono); 37 mg cholesterol; 16 g carbohydrate; 13 g protein; 2 g fiber; 567 mg sodium; 481 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Selenium (24% daily value), Vitamin A (23% dv).
1 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 other carbohydrate, 1 1/2 lean meat, 1/2 fat

MAKE AHEAD TIP: Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Very strange taste... Maybe if the pineapple was added only when dish is ready to serve? Maybe if no sugar is added? Not sure. My family was not impressed, neither was I.

Mila, Ohio, OH

This was my main dish at a dinner, with beautiful breads and cool sides, for a gathering of about fifteen. So many, perhaps all, loved this stew. It could actually be tweaked to be very Kenyan with spices. We are all food elitists and one kind of ethnic gourmand or another, and either I'm a heck of a good cook, or the recipe is outstanding! Probably both, huh? It was definitely a hit.

p parker boerner, Indiana, PA