SPICY FRUIT-STUFFED PORK LOIN W/ROASTED PEARS AND ONIONS

SPICY FRUIT-STUFFED PORK LOIN W/ROASTED PEARS AND ONIONS image

Yield 8-10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 24

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Ingredients

Ingredients
PORK LOIN
2 (7-oz.) packages mixed dried fruit bits
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1 (4-lb.) boneless pork loin
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons coarsely ground pepper, divided
Kitchen string
2 tablespoons olive oil
ROASTED PEARS AND ONIONS
6 firm, ripe Seckel pears*
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons honey**
1/4 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 (10-oz.) packages cipollini onions, peeled
GLAZE
1/2 cup pear preserves
GARNISH
Fresh sage leaves

Steps:

Preparation 1. Prepare Pork Loin: Bring first 4 ingredients and 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook 2 minutes, stirring once. Remove from heat, and cool completely (about 40 minutes). 2. Meanwhile, butterfly pork by making a lengthwise cut down center of 1 flat side, cutting to within 1/2 inch of other side. (Do not cut all the way through pork.) Open pork, forming a rectangle, and place between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap. Flatten to 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. each salt and pepper. 3. Spoon fruit mixture over pork, leaving a 1/2-inch border around edges. Roll up pork, jelly-roll fashion, starting at 1 long side. Tie with string at 1 1/2-inch intervals. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. pepper. 4. Preheat oven to 375°. Brown pork in hot oil in a large roasting pan over medium-high heat until browned on all sides (about 2 to 3 minutes per side). Place seam side down in pan. 5. Prepare Roasted Pears and Onions: Cut pears in half lengthwise, and remove core. Stir together butter and next 5 ingredients. Stir in onions; gently stir in pear halves. Spoon mixture around roast in pan. 6. Bake at 375° for 1 hour to 1 hour and 5 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion of stuffing registers 135°, stirring pear mixture halfway through. Cover with aluminum foil, and let stand 15 minutes. 7. Prepare Glaze: Microwave preserves in a microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 minute or until thoroughly heated. Pour warm preserves over pork. Slice pork, and serve with Roasted Pears and Onions and pan juices. Garnish, if desired. *3 firm, ripe Bartlett pears may be substituted. Core each pear, and cut into 4 wedges. **Sugar may be substituted. Southern Living DECEMBER 2011