Well the heat index was 101 when I got off work today but, gosh darn it, I was going to RUN! So I did – 3 miles in the blazing sun.
It was just as you imagine it would be. Brutal. Insane. Stupid hot. But as I was pacing around my cool basement afterwards, willing myself to not spontaneously combust, I realized – this feeling is temporary.
In two minutes I’m going to go upstairs, take an ice cold shower and be no worse for wear. In 2 days I’m not going to remember the intense heat on that run, but I WILL remember the fact that, despite everything, I ran. I did it!
I believe the saying goes "Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever." How about something more positive? How about, "Pain is temporary. Accomplishment is forever!" Nike – call me.
At any rate, you’ve GOT to try tonight’s dinner sometime – Baked Panko-Crusted Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches!
These were SO incredibly easy to make and would satisfy any fast-food lover’s appetite for a greasy, crunchy fried sandwich! First, I set up 4 breading stations for the pork:
- Seasoning
- 1 beaten egg white
- Panko bread crumbs
- Non-stick sprayed baking sheet
Next I cut an 8oz butterflied pork chop in half, then pounded each side out until they were ~1/4 inch thick. Then I liberally seasoned both sides with Lawry’s Seasoning Salt.
Then, I dipped each chop into a dish with 1 beaten egg white, then into some panko bread crumbs, coating each side well.
Finally, I laid the chops on the baking sheet, pressed a few more crumbs on top, and sprayed the tops with non-stick spray.
Into a 425 degree oven they go, until the chops are golden brown and cooked all the way through, ~8-9 minutes.
Voila – a crispy, crunchy pork tenderloin sandwich that you would have sworn came right from the fryer! SO CRUNCHYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In my opinion, a truly delish pork tenderloin sandwich MUST be served on a soft & squishy sesame seed bun, it MUST hang off the end of said bun, and the whole thing MUST be smothered in cold ketchup.
These sandwiches met ALL the requirements!
You can find panko bread crumbs right next to the regular bread crumbs in the grocery store. I’ve used them to make everything from Crispy Tilapia Filets to Baked Buffalo Chicken Fingers!
They crisp up like you wouldn’t believe, providing a crunch like a fryer would give, without the nasty grease and fat.
Now, I’ll gladly skip the oil for frying the tenderloin, but I will NOT skip the white bread in the sesame seed bun. You’ve gotta’ have it! 
I served some asparagus on the side that I roasted alongside the tenderloins. They were simply misted with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with garlic salt. Zee best!
Mmmm, so satisfying.
In other news, you guys are NUTS (sorry I had to) for MaraNatha nut butter!! I think Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter is winning as the most craved flavor, but the others are close behind. Whichever your preference, you have until 10pm tonight to enter to win a free jar of your choosing! Better get crackin’! (Yep, I went there too…)
Goodnight!
~~~~~
How often do you eat fried foods? Any you crave?
I can’t eat fried foods very often, as they wreak HAVOC on my body, but when I splurge, you better believe it’s on Arby’s curly fries! I know!
i’m not a fried food person at all. it’s weird but i never crave salty foods. sweets on the other hand are my downfall
cookies, cakes, brownies, chocolates – all my favorite!
your meal does look delicious though! great job on the run
Dang lady. I give you mad props for running in this wet blanket we are having in the Northern Plains! Nice work!
I very rarely crave or eat fried foods but I’m with you, I love me so good french fries!
Oh my…I think I need to try that out. My favorite fair food is the giant tenderloin. To make one healthier would be awesome.
I eat fried foods from time to time and then feel really guilty afterward. Cheese sticks or really good french fries come to mind. (And those curly french fries at Arby’s are awesome!)
I’m always looking for non-beef burgers, and this looks delicious! I’m definitely trying this recipe out soon
I feel ya on the heat! It’s been ridiculous here in AL lately. As far as fried foods… I hardly ever splurge on french fries, chicken fingers or things like that, but I NEVER pass up tortilla chips at a mexican restaurant. Though, I’m pretty sure that the salsa cancels out the calories of the chips! Haha At least I tell myself that!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this dinner! What a great idea using the crumbs and the oven to bake it!
Oh that looks YUMMY! You should douse it in buffalo sauce next time….I love me some panko and buffalo sauce!
I can’t turn down Arby’s fries, Chickfila fries, McDonald’s fries…basically I can’t turn down fries. LOVE THEM.
I’m the same way, very rarely crave fried foods but this past week at the beach I just had to have a few fried clam strips and hush puppies!! Probably my go-to fave fried food both for flavor and for the memories they bring back of eating them w/ my family during beach vacays
I don’t like fries that much… yea, I’m weird, I know?
I don’t eat many fried foods, but good french fries are hard to turn down! Or when I get in a chicken wing mood. Although my bf grills our wings and then finishes them in the oven – and I think they taste better than fried ones. Still a splurge, though!
Fried zucchini. Yummmm. Or fried dill pickles.
Mmm, that sandwich looks so yummy. Can you believe I still have yet to try panko breadcrumbs? Putting these on my grocery list…
I don’t eat fried food very often. But, in honor of summer and my state’s fair approaching next month, I cannot go a full 365 days without some crazy fun fried foods. You know – deep fried oreos, deep fried pickles, etc.
Wow I can’t believe you ran in our heat today. I caved and had the hubby take the dog. You go girl. Never thought making homemade baked pork loin sandwiches – will definitely have to give it a try. I don’t usually crave fried foods, but on those occasions I have to have fried cheese balls—-YUMMY!
I rarely eat fried foods, but I tried deep fried pickles at the MN state fair last year and have been craving them ever since. Good thing it’s almost that time!
I know I’m bad but I love fried chicken strips! Sometimes I also crave chicken mcnuggets from McDonalds…I know they are soooo bad, but once in awhile isn’t a bad thing!
Out of the few places I’ve lived (FL and TN) you can’t find a pork tenderloin sandwich. You are right, it must be served on a squishy bun and with ketchup, there is noo ther way! It is a requirement for me when I come back to Iowa to visit family and friends. You’re recipe looks excellent, I will certainly have to try it!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Kristin, Jason Wells. Jason Wells said: I love this title… RT: @iowagirleats Pain is Temporary. Accomplishment is Forever! http://tinyurl.com/2ws7guv [...]
This looks great! I agree….needs to have the white sesame seed bun!
Anything fried is my weakness…..onion rings, french fries, cheese balls…you name it. I try not to eat them often…I always feel so gross after doing so!
Pork tenderloins must be a very Iowa thing. I grew up eating them (in Iowa). My husband (a Minnesotan) had never heard of them. My step-sister who now lives in South Carolina and her husband HAVE to have them any time they are home…. Maybe I should start a pork tenderloin restaurant chain for all the displaced Iowans!
Your recipe looks absolutely fantastic…
Nice work! I went on a hot and sweaty 3 mile run as well after work. It wasn’t 101 however. Feels good to be done.
Definitely an Iowa meal! I love a good pork tenderloin:)
Dark chocolate peanut butter mmmm! I have tried their dark chocolate almond and it is soooooo good so I can only imagine!
Three words: Nom, nom, nommmm
I’m from the south, so I grew up on fried food!
Here in Dallas we have a state fair that is known for frying unusual items each year. It started with the twinkie and since then has gone to the lengths of oreo’s, snickers, and the big thing last year was coke (gag!) Today I only splurge rarely on fried treats. When I do splurge, chick fil a waffle fries are THE BEST. I also love mozarella sticks, hushpuppies, and of course fried chicken.
I hardly ever eat fried food…unless I’m prepared for the aftermath…but I can’t resist a pile hot, fresh-out-the-fryer sweet potato fries!
That meal looks crazy good! I have panko bread crumbs too, and had no ideas on how to use ‘em up – I think I know now : )
LOVE Arby’s curly fries!! They are my greasy/fried splurge as well. Every great once in awhile (as in every 2+ years), I crave a McDonald’s fry and chocolate milkshake. Hot, salty, and crunchy + cold, sweet, and creamy = divine every-few-years treat.
haha something tells me you WILL remember the hot run in two days from now because it sounds like it was THAT hot. either way KUDOS to you. running is such a mental game and you put your mind over matter! commendable work with dinner too! do you use the panko crumbs for all your bread crumb needs? or just certain things?
looks absolutely drool-worthy!! definitely putting these on the dinner menu for next week.
I like this quote… “Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional”
I love, love, love french fries. Thick or thin, crinkly or curly, out of an Oneida bag or out of a deep fat fryer… it does not matter. I eat french fries often, but I very rarely eat other fried food.
Oh what a sandwich! I envy you for your asparaguses – ours are getting to the smaller side and SUPER expensive again because the season is over :S
I eat french fries quite often but make them at home and in a healthy way
I just really don’t have much of a taste for fried foods. When I was little I always got excited about funnel cakes at fairs, but then I would actually get one and be disappointed with it. Now I’ve learned my lesson… I’ll take chocolate over fried food any day!
Your pain and accomplishment statement is so true. I was just having a similar conversation with a mother from my school who I ran into at the gym on Monday. And as far as fried food goes, although I get sick from eating anything fried, I’ll take the sickness for a good batch of gooey mozzarella sticks.
I’m not a big pork fan, but those buffalo chicken fingers look AWESOME. Me and the BF will need to try those… STAT.
Thanks for the reminder that I should go run at lunch, despite the 95 degree heat and 100% humidity. I tend to stay indoors from about mid-June to September, but sometimes I just really crave a good outdoor run, you know? I was sitting here already debating if I’d go out at lunch or not, and now I’ve decided that the pleasure outweighs the pain. =) Thanks.
As for fried foods – I just don’t crave them and rarely eat them, which is actually quite a feat being in the South. However, I do crave sweets, so I frequently wrestle with just eating a few bites or stick to sugar-free Popsicles to satsify my sweet tooth.
Nothing like good, rustic french fries in my opinion! Five guys has some great ones
McDonald’s. I know, it’s shameful. But, I love it!
[...] Full confession: I wanted to stop after 3 miles, but repeated my new favorite mantra – “Pain is temporary. Accomplishment is forver!” – and kept on going. I’ve been stopping at 4 miles lately, so going the extra [...]
[...] turns out I was wrong all those times I thought it was the hottest day of the summer because, according my my girl Jeriann, today [...]
[...] Anywho… What was I saying again? RIGHT… SANDWICHES. Taking this love of sandwiches into account, I decided to put some of our Iowa Pork to use and make homemade tenderloins tonight, inspired by Iowa Girl Eats! You’ve gotta make these things! *Check out her recipe here! [...]
[...] my work ethic should slack. One of my favorite blog authors, Kristin of Iowa Girl Eats, has said, “Pain is temporary. Accomplishment is forever!” She is right; the incline intervals were painful, but at the end of my workout, although I felt [...]