Prune and Onion Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

 

What to make for dinner with friends? I decided on pork tenderloin and cobbled together ideas from a couple of recipes to create a dish that went over well. A little bit of sweetness complements pork beautifully, and often, it's applesauce that provides the sweetness. I thought prunes would be a good option and upon searching on line, discovered that I wasn't the only one to think so. 

The stuffing can be made a day or so ahead, and the loin stuffed and browned early in the day. Then 20-30 minutes (depending upon how cold the meat is) in the oven, and it's ready to serve. 

Prune and Onion Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

1 pork tenderloin, silverskin removed

6-8 large prunes, cut into 8 pieces each (or rough chopped)

1/2 cup white wine

2 Tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 large onion, thinly sliced

2 shallots, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

8 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped

salt and pepper to taste

Soak prunes in white wine for an hour or two. 

Heat 1 Tablespoon oil in a skillet and saute the onions and shallots until very soft and almost caramelized. Add the garlic and sage leaves and saute 1-2 minutes longer. Add the prunes and wine and stir to combine. Let cool. 

Cut the pork tenderloin almost in half, lengthwise, and open to lay almost flat. 

Spoon the cooled prune onion mixture along the fold in the pork tenderloin. Fold the tenderloin and tie with kitchen string. It will be messy. Season the outside with salt and pepper. The stuffing may not all fit, but reserve any bits that fall out to make a sauce. 

Heat the second Tablespoon of oil in an oven proof skillet and brown the tenderloin on all sides. Roast, uncovered, in a pre-heated 425 F oven for 20-30 minutes (internal temperature 145 F). Removed from oven, tent with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. 

Add the leftover stuffing to the pan juices and heat thoroughly, then puree, if desired. Add a little white wine to thin, if needed. Season to taste. 

Thyme Pork Chops with Mustard Sauce

After Christmas feasting followed by New Year's feasting, yesterday felt like a good day to have something homey for dinner. These pork chops were tender and moist and tasted so good with the bok choy. Thyme is my favorite winter herb. I think it has a warm earthy flavor that suits rainy, windy weather.


This is a fast recipe - easily done in less than 30 minutes. I served it alongside roasted sweet potato wedges and garlicky green beans with tomatoes. Lots of vegetables - just what I love.


I cooked this recipe in one pan, keeping the greens hot until the chops were done. Two frying pans could also be used, but then you have two pans to wash. 


Thyme Pork Chops with Mustard Sauce


3 thick boneless pork chops
dried thyme, salt and pepper
2-3 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 medium onion, slivered
3 baby bok choy, sliced
1/4 cup white wine
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard (peppercorn would be delicious)
2 Tablespoons cream (optional)


Heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil in skillet. Add slivered onions and sauté until tender crisp. Add the sliced bok choy and continue sautéing until onions are tender and bok choy is tender crisp - between 5 and 10 minutes. Remove the vegetables to a serving platter and keep warm.


Add 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil to skillet. Heat to medium. Sprinkle both sides of pork chops with dried thyme, salt and pepper. Place in skillet, cook until done, turning once, about 10 minutes. Place chops on top of onions and bok choy. Keep warm.


Deglaze the skillet with white wine, stirring up all the caramelized bits from the bottom of the pan. Whisk in the mustard and add the chicken broth. Reduce the liquid by about one half. Whisk in cream, if desired. Pour sauce over chops.

Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Prunes

This represents a perfect fall dish to me - earthy apple and rosemary flavours, tender meat and a hint of sweetness in the prunes. Served with roasted potatoes, baked tomato halves and steamed broccoli.

Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Prunes

1 T olive oil
1 pork tenderloin
salt and pepper to taste
2 apples, quartered, cored and cut into wedges
1/4 - 1/2 cup dried prunes, quartered
2 Tablespoons grainy mustard
1 cup white wine (or apple juice)
1 sprig fresh rosemary

Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the tenderloin with salt and pepper. Brown in the oil on all sides. Whisk the wine with the mustard to blend, then add to skillet along with the apples and prunes. Lay the fresh rosemary sprig on top. Simmer, covered, 20-30 minutes or until tenderloin is tender. The apples will have cooked down somewhat and all will be wonderfully fragrant.

Slice the tenderloin and serve with the apples and prunes. Garnish with another sprig of rosemary, if desired.