Stuffed Pork Tenderloin With Figs And Gorgonzola Recipes

Steps:

• Put figs in hot water to soak. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Wriggle a thin, sharp knife into each end of meat, making a kind of pilot hole. Then use handle of a long wooden spoon to force a hole all the way through meat, making it as wide as your thumb.
• Drain when figs are tender but not mushy, reserving liquid. Stuff figs into roast, all the way to center from each end.
• Combine salt, pepper and rosemary and rub it all over meat. Put meat in a roasting pan and pour about half a cup of fruit-soaking liquid over it. Roast undisturbed for 20 minutes. Lower heat to 350 degrees and continue to cook, basting with pan juices (or added liquid, like wine or water, if necessary) every 15 minutes or so. When an instant-read thermometer registers 145 to 150 degrees - probably after 40 to 60 minutes - remove roast to a warm platter. (When checking meat, be sure thermometer is in meat, not fruit.)
• Let sit for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, put roasting pan on stove over one or two burners set to medium-high. If there is a lot of liquid, reduce it to about half a cup, scraping bottom of pan with a wooden spoon to release any brown bits. If pan is dry, add half a cup of wine and follow same process. When sauce has reduced, slice roast and serve with sauce.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375. In an ovenproof skillet over medium heat, warm EVO. Add onion, carrot, celery, bay leaves, peppercorns, sauté 5 minutes, set aside. Pound the tenderloin with mallet until flat and even. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with rosemary and fennel seeds. Line up Gorgonzola strips and figs in the center of the meat. Fold one flap over the filling, roll up tightly lengthwise and tie with butcher's string, tucking rosemary sprigs underneath. Rub with EVO and season with salt and pepper. Return the skillet with vegetables to medium heat and add the tenderloin. Deglaze with the wine. Place in the oven to roast for 25 minutes. Slice the tenderloin into 1 inch thick pieces. Pass the vegetable and pan juices through a fine sieve, reserving the strained liquid for sauce. Garnish with mixed greens. From La Cucina Italiana, September - October 2004

Steps:

• For pork:
• Oil large rimmed baking sheet. Whisk Dijon mustard, olive oil and thyme in small bowl to blend. Sprinkle pork tenderloins with salt and pepper. Heat heavy large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add pork and sear until brown all over, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes. Transfer seared pork to prepared baking sheet. Spread Dijon mustard mixture over all sides of pork. (Can be prepared up to 2 hours ahead. Refrigerate pork uncovered.)
• Preheat oven to 425°F. Roast pork until thermometer inserted into thickest part of meat registers 150°F, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare sauce:
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in heavy small saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon flour and whisk 1 minute. Gradually whisk in whipping cream, white wine and chicken broth. Boil until mixture is thick enough to coat spoon, whisking frequently, about 1 minute. Add crumbled Gorgonzola and whisk until cheese is melted and smooth and sauce is reduced to desired consistency, about 5 minutes.
• Slice pork and transfer to plates. Ladle some sauce over pork. Serve, passing additional sauce separately.