Apricot Stuffed Spice Rubbed Pork Loin Recipes

APRICOT-STUFFED PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• Cut a lengthwise slit down the center of the roast to within 1/2 in. of bottom. Open roast so it lies flat; cover with plastic wrap. Flatten to 1/2-in. thickness. Remove wrap; sprinkle with cheese, apricots, thyme, garlic, salt, pepper and cayenne., Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long end. Tie at 1-1/2- to 2-inch intervals with kitchen string; secure ends with toothpicks. Transfer to an 11x7-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Brush tenderloin with butter. Bake at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°. Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing.

SPICE-RUBBED PORK WITH QUINOA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Combine the paprika, red pepper flakes, cumin and 2 teaspoons salt in a shallow dish. Rub the pork all over with the olive oil, then roll in the spice mixture to coat. Transfer to a roasting pan and roast until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 145 degrees F, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest, 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the quinoa and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and fluff with a fork. Toss with the corn, scallions, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Slice the pork and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with the quinoa and salsa verde, if desired.

APRICOT AND PECAN-STUFFED PORK LOIN ROAST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Coarsely chop apricots, dates, pecans, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper in a food processor.
• Add 2 tablespoons thyme, 1 tablespoon molasses and 2 tablespoons oil.
• Process until mixture is finely chopped, but not smooth.
• To butterfly the roast, make a lengthwise cut down the center of each roast half, cutting to, but not through, the bottom.
• Starting from the cut that was just made, slice horizontally toward one side, stopping 1/2 inch from edge.
• Repeat with other roast half.
• Open each half and flatten to a ½-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
• Spread apricot mixture evenly over pork.
• Roll each half, jellyroll fashion, starting with long side.
• Secure with string.
• Place both rolls, seam side down, in a shallow roasting pan.
• Brush with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and sprinkle with remaining thyme.
• Bring bourbon, broth and remaining 3 tablespoons molasses to a boil in a large saucepan.
• Remove from heat.
• Carefully ignite bourbon mixture with a long match.
• When flames die, pour over rolls.
• Bake 1 to 11/2 hours, or until meat thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 160 F.
• Remove pork from pan and keep warm; reserve drippings.
• Pour reserved drippings in a small saucepan.
• Add cream and remaining salt.
• Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened.
• Slice pork and serve with sauce.

ROSEMARY-SCENTED PORK LOIN STUFFED WITH ROASTED GARLIC, DRIED APRICOTS AND CRANBERRIES AND PORT WINE PAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 250 degrees. Heat oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add whole garlic cloves and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon; reserve oil.
• Turn pork loin fat-side down. Slit lengthwise, almost but not quite all the way through, to form a long pocket, leaving a 1/2-inch border of unslit meat at each end. Brush cavity with some of the reserved garlic cooking oil, and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper and 1 Tb. of the rosemary. Line cavity with sauteed garlic and apricots; sprinkle in cranberries. Tie loin together with kitchen twine or heavy-duty string at 1 1/2-inch intervals.
• Brush with remaining oil, and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Set roast, fat-side up, diagonally or curved (so it fits) on a large, lipped cookie sheet or jellyroll pan. Warm 1/4 cup apple jelly along with the minced garlic and remaining rosemary. Brush mixture onto meat.
• Roast until a meat thermometer stuck into the center registers 125 to 130 degrees. (Start checking at about 1 1/2 hours.) Remove from oven; raise oven temperature to 400 degrees. Brush loin with pan drippings, return to oven, and continue to roast until the loin is golden brown and a meat thermometer stuck into the center registers 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), about 20 minutes longer. For even more attractive coloring, broil until spotty brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Let roast rest 15 to 20 minutes; transfer to a carving board. Stir juices around pan to loosen brown bits. Pour through a strainer into a small pan, and stir in port, chicken broth and remaining 2 Tbs. of jelly; bring to a simmer. Mix cornstarch with a couple of tablespoons of cold water; whisk into sauce. Simmer until lightly thickened. Slice pork and serve with a little sauce.