Heat a large cast iron skillet on medium-high heat. Slice pork tenderloin into 1-inch rounds (medallions). Coat the medallions with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the hot skillet. Add seasoned pork tenderloin medallions. Cook the pork for about 4 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet.

Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sliced mushrooms to the same, now empty, skillet. Cook sliced mushrooms, generously seasoned with salt and pepper, on medium-high heat for about 1 or 2 minutes until lightly browned and softened. Remove half of the cooked mushrooms from the skillet to a plate.

To the same skillet with half of the cooked mushrooms, add uncooked orzo, chicken broth, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, fresh thyme, paprika, and ¼ teaspoon salt.

Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer (medium-low) and cook for about 5 or 10 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan, until the orzo is cooked through.

Add fresh spinach during the last 5 minutes of cooking the orzo.

Add ½ cup of half-and-half. Stir everything on low-medium heat.

Season with salt and more smoked paprika, if desired.

Stir in the remaining half of the cooked mushrooms. Add pork tenderloin medallions to the orzo and cook them on medium heat for about 4 minutes until they are cooked through but not overcooked (a fine line!).

When serving, sprinkle a small amount of red pepper flakes over the pork and orzo, and top with fresh thyme.

What is half-and-half? Use ¼ cup of milk + ¼ cup of heavy cream instead of ½ cup of half-and-half.

Make it DAIRY-FREE. You can use unsweetened coconut milk, oat, cashew, or almond milk instead of half-and-half.

Make it GLUTEN-FREE. Use GF orzo or cooked rice (jasmine or basmati).