Pork Tenderloin with Goat Cheese-Stuffed Dates and Raspberry Chipotle Sauce

As Seen on WIBW 13 News This Morning, Dec. 13, 2012
Chef Alli's PORKTASTIC Holiday Giveaway Sweepstakes Segment

Recipe from www.PorkBeInspired.com

Prep Time: 15 minutes prep, Cook Time: 45 minutes cook

3 oz (about 1/3 cup) rindless goat cheese, at room temperature
16 pitted dates, split lengthwise (but not cut in half)
2 1-pound pork tenderloin, rinsed and patted dry, silverskin and fat trimmed
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoons mesquite seasoning

Sauce: 
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup shallots, finely chopped
3/4 cup tawny port
1 cup raspberry chipotle sauce

Cooking Directions:

Tenderloin:
Preheat the oven to 350 degree F. Place goat cheese in a sandwich bag, press into the corner and snip off the end to make a piping bag. Pipe cheese into the dates. Cut each tenderloin lengthwise, almost, but not quite through. Stuff each tenderloin with filled dates and secure with crosswise loops of butcher’s twine. Brush tenderloins with the oil and season evenly with sweet mesquite seasoning.

Bake 15 minutes. Flip tenderloins and continue baking until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 145 degree F, about 20 to 30 minutes more. Remove from heat and let rest for 10 minutes.

Sauce:

While the tenderloins are roasting, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots and cook until golden, about 3 minutes. Add port and bring to a boil. Boil until the liquid is syrupy, about 5 minutes. Add raspberry chipotle sauce and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and keep warm.

To Serve:

Remove butcher’s twine and carve each tenderloin crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Spoon equal amounts of the sauce onto 6 dinner plates, divide pork evenly, and serve.

Serves 6

Mom Knows Best: 20 Steps to Success

I doubt that my Mom remembers giving me this list; I keep it taped to the inside of my cupboard door so I often see it when I'm searching for ingredients in the kitchen.  

#4 on this list definitely describes my Mom, Jeaneane;
I'm thankful she's my cheer leader. 

1.  Marry the right person.  This one decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery.   

2.  Work at something you enjoy that is worthy of your time and talent.

3.  Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

4.  Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.

5.  Be forgiving of yourself and others.

6.  Be generous.

7.  Have a grateful heart.

8.  Persistence, Persistence, Persistence!

9.  Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest salary.

10.  Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.

11.  Commit yourself to constant improvement.

12.  Commit yourself to quality.

13.  Understand that happiness is not based on possessions. power, or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.

14.  Be loyal.

15.  Be a self-starter.

16.  Be decisive even if it means you will sometimes be wrong.

17.  Stop blaming others.  Take responsibility for every are of your life.

18.  Be bold and courageous.  When you look back on your life, you'll regret the things that you didn't do more than the one you did.

19.  Take care of your family and say I LOVE YOU.

20.  Don't do anything your mother wouldn't be proud of!

Thanks, Mom!

Now You're Cookin',
Chef Alli

Enchilada Casserole

This recipe came to me by way of one of my favorite personal chef clients, Betty McHenry.  For some reason, I tucked it away and never made it until recently; my family loved it and I enjoyed the flavor combination of the eggs and olives with the ground beef - so tasty!

10 oz. can red enchilada sauce
1/3 cup broth
8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 hard-boiled egg, chopped
4 oz. can sliced black olives
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
6 corn tortillas
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Combine sauces with broth and set aside.  In a skillet over medium high heat, cook ground beef with onion and garlic; drain fats.  Stir in egg and olives; add 1/2 cup sauce.  Season mixture with salt and pepper, to taste.  In a casserole dish, layer tortillas (dipped in sauce) with meat mixture. Pour remaining sauce over all; top with cheese.  Bake, uncovered, in preheated 350 degree F. oven for 25-30 minutes.  

Now You're Cookin',
Chef Alli