CHEF JOHN'S BABY PORCHETTA

Chef John's Baby Porchetta image

This bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with such great taste is amazingly moist and tender.

Provided by Chef John

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian

Time 1h50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

½ teaspoon whole fennel seeds
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1 tablespoon finely sliced sage leaves
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons chopped rosemary
1 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 lemon, zested
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (1 1/2 pound) boneless pork tenderloin
8 strips bacon

Steps:

Crush fennel seeds in mortar with a pestle for 1 minute. Add garlic, sage, pepper, rosemary, salt, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest; pound into a thick paste, 2 or 3 minutes. Add olive oil and pound until rub is evenly incorporated.
Cut a slit 3/4 of the way through the center of the tenderloin, leaving 1 inch on each end uncut. Spread 1 tablespoon of the rub inside the slit; close up roast. Spread the remaining rub evenly over the roast. Wrap bacon strips around the roast, trying to keep seams on the bottom.
Wrap roast in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil; place roast in the center.
Roast in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 134 degrees F (57 degrees C), about 25 minutes. Let roast rest for 10 minutes and internal temperature rise to 140 to 145 degrees F (60 to 63 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 289 calories, Carbohydrate 2.5 g, Cholesterol 94.1 mg, Fat 15.4 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 33.6 g, SaturatedFat 4.4 g, Sodium 966.4 mg, Sugar 0.1 g