Ingredients

Carrots:

2 pounds baby carrots, peeled, trimmed, leaving 1/2 inch of green tops attached

2 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon butter, diced

2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1 small jalapeño (preferably red), seeded, coarsely chopped

1 teaspoon honey

1/2 teaspoon ancho chile powder*

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

Pork:

2 1-to 1 1/4-pound pork tenderloins

2 teaspoons dried oregano

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon ancho chile powder

1 teaspoon smoked paprika**

1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation

For carrots: Arrange carrots on large rimmed baking sheet. Whisk 2 tablespoons water and all remaining ingredients in small bowl; pour over carrots and toss to coat. Cover tightly with heavy-duty foil. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Toss to coat before continuing.

For pork: Preheat oven to 400°F. Roast carrot mixture covered until just tender, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, arrange pork tenderloins on another rimmed baking sheet. Stir oregano, cumin, chile powder, smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon coarse salt in small bowl; rub mixture all over tenderloins. Heat oil in heavy large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork to skillet and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Return to rimmed baking sheet.

Remove foil from carrots. Nestle pork among carrots on baking sheet, arranging carrots in single layer around pork. Roast uncovered until instant-read thermometer inserted into center of pork registers 145°F, stirring carrots occasionally if beginning to caramelize, about 18 minutes. Let rest 5 to 10 minutes.

Transfer pork to work surface. Cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange carrots on platter. Top with pork slices, drizzling any pan juices over.

  • Available in the spice section of many supermarkets and at Latin markets.

** Sometimes labeled Pimentón Dulce or Pimentón de La Vera Dulce; available at some supermarkets, at specialty foods stores, and from tienda.com.