Pesto Pork Loin Recipes

SPINACH AND MINT-BASIL PESTO-STUFFED PORK LOIN

Steps:

• For the pesto: In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, pulse the basil and mint 3 to 4 times or until chopped, then add the pine nuts and salt and pulse an additional 2 to 3 times. Add the garlic and cheese, pulse 2 times. With the food processor running, slowly add the oil to blend, this should take 1 minute. Don't over-pulse or puree; this will result in a brown liquid sauce, not a bright herb pesto.
• For the pork: To butterfly the pork, place each loin on a cutting board and slice lengthwise through the center, about 3 inches deep, but not cutting all the way through, until it opens to form a 10 by 10-inch square.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Season the inside of both loins with salt and pepper and evenly spread the pesto, leaving a 2-inch border on all sides. Sprinkle with feta and top with spinach. Roll tightly lengthwise. With butchers twine, tie several knots around the stuffed loins, 4 to 5 times, to ensure even cooking.
• Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed saute pan over high heat, season the outside of the loins with salt and pepper, and sear on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and place the loins on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

PESTO AND CHEESE STUFFED PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a baking dish.
• Mix cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions, pesto sauce, garlic, and parsley together in a bowl. Lay pork tenderloin on a flat work surface and spread cheese mixture on one side of the meat. Roll tenderloin around the filling like a jellyroll. Season meat with salt and black pepper.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place rolled pork tenderloin in hot butter and cook, turning, until browned on all sides, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer tenderloin to the prepared baking dish, reserving drippings in skillet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until pork is no longer pink in the center, about 1 1/2 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).
• Place the skillet with reserved drippings over medium-high heat. Pour in white wine and bouillon, bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and add cream; stir until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Pour sauce over tenderloin.

BACON-WRAPPED PESTO PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°. Arrange bacon strips lengthwise in a foil-lined 15x10x1-in. pan, overlapping slightly., Cut tenderloin lengthwise through the center to within 1/2 in. of bottom. Open tenderloin flat; pound with a meat mallet to 1/2-in. thickness. Place tenderloin on center of bacon, perpendicular to strips., Sprinkle pepper over pork. Spread with pesto; layer with cheese and spinach. Close tenderloin; wrap with bacon, overlapping ends. Tie with kitchen string at 3-in. intervals. Secure ends with toothpicks., In a 12-in. skillet, brown roast on all sides, about 8 minutes. Return to baking pan; roast in oven until a thermometer inserted in pork reads 145°, 17-20 minutes. Remove string and toothpicks; let stand 5 minutes before slicing.

PESTO PORK LOIN

Steps:

• Spoon pesto into an ice cube tray and freeze for at least an hour. (Freezing pesto in ice cube trays and keeping the pesto cubes in freezer bags is a great way to store pesto and to have in off-season).
• Preheat oven to 400F°.
• Take a long knife and cut two holes, evenly spaced, into the loin.
• Insert frozen pesto into the holes.
• Lay out bay leaves on pan and place pork loin on top.
• Rub loin with seasoning salt and spoon minced garlic over top.
• Chop fresh thyme and add vinager in a pouring container.
• Slowly pour a small amount onto the loin making sure not to cause the garlic to fall off.
• Place in the oven, checking every 15 minutes and pouring more of the vinegar over the top.
• Cook for 2 hours.