Roast Pork Tenderloin with Potato Pancakes & Applesauce

This is a great Sunday family dinner.  It is really quite simple, yet elegant enough for company.  To make this you will need:
1 (4-pound) boneless pork loin, with fat left on

1  tablespoon salt

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves

2 teaspoons fresh basil leaves

2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary

1.)  Preheat oven to 475 degrees F.

2.)  Place the pork loin in a roasting pan. Combine the remaining ingredients in a small bowl. With your fingers, massage the mixture onto the pork loin, covering all of the meat and fat.
3.)  Roast the pork for 30 minutes, then reduce the heat to 425 degrees F and roast for an additional hour. Test for doneness using an instant-read thermometer. When the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees, remove the roast from the oven.
4.)  Allow it to sit for about 20 minutes before carving.
5.)  Add 1/2 cup water to the pan and stir up with the bits on the bottom of the pan to create a juice for the sliced pork.
 
Potato Pancakes
4 large potatoes

1 yellow onion

1egg, beaten

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

ground black pepper to taste

2 cups vegetable oil for frying

1.)  Finely grate potatoes with onion into a large bowl. Drain off any excess liquid.

2.)  Mix in egg, salt, and black pepper. Add enough flour to make mixture thick, about 2 to 4 tablespoons all together.

3.)  Heat 1/4 inch oil in the bottom of a heavy skillet over medium high heat. Drop two or three 1/4 cup mounds into hot oil, and flatten to make 1/2 inch thick pancakes. Fry, turning once, until golden brown. Transfer to paper towel lined plates to drain, and keep warm in low oven until serving time. Repeat until all potato mixture is used.

Cinnamon Applesauce

3 apples, peeled, cored, cut into 3/4-inch pieces

1 cup water

1/3 cup (packed) golden brown sugar

2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1.)  Combine apples, 1 cup water and brown sugar in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until apples are very tender, about 25 minutes.

2.)  Uncover and simmer until almost all liquid in saucepan has evaporated, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice and cinnamon. Cool 30 minutes.

3.)  Using fork, mash apple mixture until coarse and chunky.