Mexican-Spiced Pork Roast

Place an oven rack in the center of the oven, then preheat to 450°F. Line a sheet pan with foil. Pat the pork dry with paper towels. Season on all sides with salt, pepper, and enough of the spice blend to coat (you may have extra). Transfer to one side of the sheet pan. Roast 15 minutes. Leaving the oven on, remove from the oven.

Meanwhile, wash and dry the fresh produce. Halve and peel the onion. Small dice one half. Cut the remaining half into 1-inch-wide wedges. Combine the onion wedges and peppers in a bowl; drizzle with 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Drain and rinse the beans. Thinly slice the scallions, separating the white bottoms and hollow green tops. Peel and roughly chop 2 cloves of garlic.

Carefully transfer the prepared onion and peppers to the other side of the sheet pan of partially roasted pork. Arrange in an even layer. Roast 12 to 14 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender when pierced with a fork and the pork is browned and cooked through.* Remove from the oven. Carefully transfer the roasted pork to a cutting board; let rest at least 5 minutes. Evenly top the roasted vegetables with half the vinegar; carefully stir to coat.

*An instant-read thermometer should register 145°F.

Meanwhile, in a small pot, heat the butter on medium-high until melted. Add the diced onion; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add half the date syrup and ½ cup of water (carefully, as the liquid may splatter). Cook, stirring occasionally, 9 to 11 minutes, or until thickened. Turn off the heat. Taste, then season with salt and pepper  if desired.

Meanwhile, in a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the chopped garlic and sliced white bottoms of the scallions; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until slightly softened. Add the drained beans. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes, or until heated through. Add the remaining date syrup, remaining vinegar (carefully, as the liquid may splatter), and 1/4 cup of water; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes, or until the liquid has cooked off. Turn off the heat. Transfer to the pot of caramelized onion; stir to combine. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Find the lines of muscle (or grain) on the rested pork; thinly slice crosswise against the grain. Serve the finished beans and onion topped with the sliced pork and roasted vegetables. Garnish with the sliced green tops of the scallions. Enjoy!