Ingredient: red onion, finely diced

EASTER GREETINGS!

Easter is synonymous with spring, it represents a time of renewal. The winter months are now in our rear view mirrors and we can look forward to those wonderful summer days. Fresh new buds are on the trees, just waiting to burst out as the season unfolds. Everything speaks of new life and fresh hope. Spring is so unique (even if we still have snow on the ground in our part of the country).

Though ham is traditional in many homes, there are just as many people who would prefer something different for dinner on Easter Sunday. Holiday cooking is all about making a meal that feels more special than what you would cook on a regular basis.

Pork tenderloin is one of my favorite meats due to its tenderness and versatility. This meal started out with an idea to stuff a tenderloin and developed into so much more. I must say, I was even more pleased with the final results when we both enjoyed it.

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Braided Pork Tenderloin w/ Pineapple Stuffing

Votes: 1
Rating: 5
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Course

Main Dish

Cuisine

American

Servings

MetricUS Imperial

Ingredients

Pineapple Stuffing

• 570 ml crushed pineapple, drained, reserve juice
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1/2 cup walnuts (optional)
• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• 1 tsp dried sage
• 1/2 cup (4-5) green onions, sliced
• 120 gm cornbread stuffing mix

Tenderloin Rub

• 1 1/2 tsp dried sage
• 1/2 tsp Paprika
• 1/2 tsp veg sea salt
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1.135 kg (2 1/2 lbs) pork tenderloin
• 3 strips bacon

Pineapple Salsa

• 4 cups pineapple tidbits, finely diced
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup white wine vingar
• 2 Tbsp lime juice
• 1 cup red onion, finely diced
• 1/2 tsp cumin, ground
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 1 Tbsp cilantro, finely chopped

Course Main Dish Cuisine American Servings MetricUS Imperial Ingredients Pineapple Stuffing 570 ml crushed pineapple, drained, reserve juice 1/2 cup margarine 1/2 cup walnuts (optional) 1/2 cup celery, chopped 1 tsp dried sage 1/2 cup (4-5) green onions, sliced 120 gm cornbread stuffing mix Tenderloin Rub 1 1/2 tsp dried sage 1/2 tsp Paprika 1/2 tsp veg sea salt 1/4 tsp dried thyme 1/8 tsp black pepper 1.135 kg (2 1/2 lbs) pork tenderloin 3 strips bacon Pineapple Salsa 4 cups pineapple tidbits, finely diced 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup white wine vingar 2 Tbsp lime juice 1 cup red onion, finely diced 1/2 tsp cumin, ground 1/4 tsp salt 1/8 tsp pepper 1 Tbsp cilantro, finely chopped

Votes: 1 Rating: 5 You: Rate this recipe!

Instructions

Pineapple Stuffing

1. Drain pineapple; reserving 1/3 cup juice. In a large saucepan, melt margarine. Add walnuts, celery & sage; cook stirring until celery is tender-crisp. Stir in green onions, pineapple & reserved juice. Remove from heat; toss in cornbread stuffing mix & set aside.

Tenderloin

1. Using a sharp knife starting 3-inches from end, slice tenderloin lengthwise twice; making 3 equal strips. Carefully take the knife & cut pockets lengthwise every 3-inches in the center of each of the tenderloin strips. Spread the combined rub ingredients over meat & allow to stand at room temperature for about 20 minutes before continuing with preparation.
2. When meat is marinated, stuff each pocket with pineapple stuffing. Place a strip of bacon along each tenderloin strip. Braid the stuffed tenderloin/bacon by crossing the right section over the middle section then the left section over the new middle section. Continue until you run out of tenderloin.
3. Insert a wooden or metal skewer into the end of braided tenderloin to keep it together. Tuck in the remaining stuffing mixture in the folds of the braid.
4. Preheat oven to 425 F. Bake, uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until meat thermometer reads 160 F. Remove from oven & loosely cover with foil. Allow to rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing. Serve with pineapple salsa.

   

Pineapple Salsa

1. In a large skillet, combine pineapple, sugar, vinegar, lime juice, red onion, cumin, salt & pepper. Bring to a boil & cook over medium-high heat until thickened, 7-10 minutes. If there is still a lot of liquid left, use a slotted spoon to transfer the pineapple to a bowl & continue to cook the liquid over high heat for 5 minutes more, then pour the liquid over the pineapple. Mix in the onions & cilantro. Season with salt to taste.