Fig-Balsamic Roasted Pork Loin |
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Prep Time: 45 Minutes Cook Time: 90 Minutes |
Ready In: 135 Minutes Servings: 1 |
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Purchase a pork loin roast, not a rolled pork loin roast (which has two loins tied together with netting). Don't trim away the entire fat cap on top of the loin; this layer prevents the meat from drying out. Ingredients:
1/2 pound ground pork sausage |
1 3/4 cups herb-seasoned stuffing mix |
1 large ripe bartlett pear, peeled and chopped |
1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped |
1/3 cup chopped dried figs |
1/2 cup hot chicken broth |
1 tablespoon fresh minced thyme |
1 (4-pound) boneless pork loin roast |
1 teaspoon salt |
1 to 2 tablespoons cracked pepper |
1 (11.5-ounce) jar fig preserves |
1 cup madeira wine |
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar |
1/4 cup butter or margarine |
1/4 cup all-purpose flour |
garnishes: dried figs, bartlett pear slices, fresh parsley sprigs |
Directions:
1. Cook sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, 4 to 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Drain well. Stir together sausage, stuffing mix, and next 5 ingredients. Set aside.
2. Butterfly pork loin roast by making a lengthwise cut down center of 1 flat side, cutting to within 1/2 inch of the bottom. (Do not cut all the way through roast.) Open roast, 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 evenly with salt and pepper. Spoon sausage mixture evenly over pork loin roast, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Roll up roast, and tie with string at 1 1/2-inch intervals. Place roast, seam side down, in a greased shallow roasting pan.
3. Bake at 375° for 55 to 60 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion registers 145°. Remove roast from pan, reserving drippings in pan.
4. Stir together fig preserves, Madeira, and balsamic vinegar. Spoon half of preserves mixture evenly over roast.
5. Bake at 375° for 20 to 30 more minutes or until meat thermometer registers 160°. Let roast stand 15 minutes before slicing.
6. Melt butter in a medium saucepan; whisk in flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, 3 minutes. Whisk in reserved pan drippings and remaining fig preserves mixture, and cook over medium-high heat 5 minutes. Serve sauce with roast; garnish, if desired.
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