Herb and Citrus Grilled Pork Fillet with Healthy Gravy

Serves 4

Time 45 minutes plus marinating

Ingredients

1 pork fillet (about 500g)

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Zest and juice of 1 lemon (or orange, if you prefer a touch of sweetness)

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped

1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 tsp dried thyme if fresh isn’t available)

1 tsp Dijon mustard

½ tsp sea salt

¼ tsp black pepper

Steamed or roasted vegetables, to serve

Healthy Gravy

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)

2 tbsp wholemeal or spelt flour (or a gluten-free alternative like brown rice flour)

2 cups vegetable or chicken stock

1 tbsp tamari or light soy sauce

1 tsp dried thyme or rosemary

1 tbsp nutritional yeast 

Salt and black pepper to taste

Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Method

In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, thyme, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.

Place the pork fillet in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the fillet, making sure it’s evenly coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for extra flavour. If marinating longer than 30 minutes, cover and place in the fridge. Just let it come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before grilling.

Heat your BBQ or grill pan to medium-high. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.

Remove the pork from the marinade, shaking off any excess. Place the fillet on the preheated grill, and cook for 15-20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 63°C (145°F) for a juicy, slightly pink centre. Adjust the grilling time to your preferred level of doneness.

Let the pork rest for about 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Then slice into medallions.

While the pork is resting, make the healthy gravy. In the same pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until it becomes translucent. Add the garlic if using and cook for an additional minute.

Sprinkle the wholemeal flour over the onions, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes until the flour is lightly browned.

Gradually pour in the vegetable or chicken stock while whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Stir in the tamari or soy sauce and add the dried thyme or rosemary.

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency. Stir in the nutritional yeast, if used, for an extra layer of savoury flavour. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

For an extra smooth gravy (optional), transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth or drain the gravy.

To serve, plate the pork slices and drizzle with your healthy gravy. Garnish with extra fresh herbs if you like and serve with steamed or roast veggies.