If you are hosting an Oscar party, mustard and herb stuffed bacon wrapped pork loin is a must-have main course. A pork loin is butterflied and stuffed with a herb, garlic and mustard mixture before being completely wrapped in bacon. This recipe recommends a combination of parsley, sage, thyme and tarragon but use whatever fresh herbs are available in the market. To keep the pork loin moist, hard cider is added to the pan while it is baking in the oven. This beautiful mustard and herb stuffed bacon wrapped pork loin will be sure to impress your guests.
Mustard and Herb Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin
Recipe courtesy of Savoury Table
Ingredients:
1- 1/2 pound pork loin
1 large clove garlic, crushed
1 – 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage (or ½ teaspoon rubbed sage)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon (optional)
4 – 5 slices thin hickory smoked bacon
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 cup hard cider
Directions:
Butterfly pork loin as shown; lay it flat (cut side up) on a clean dry surface. Spread garlic all over the loin. Sprinkle salt and pepper evenly over the garlic. Smear the mustard over the top with the back of a spoon; set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the rosemary, parsley, sage, thyme and tarragon. Sprinkle the herb mixture over the mustard. Roll the loin up as shown.
Starting at one end of the stuffed loin, wrap a piece of the bacon around to secure it, being sure to tuck the loose end of the bacon under itself to hold it in place. Stretching the bacon slightly as you wrap, overlap bacon slices at the ends securing them with a toothpick. This process not only flavors the bacon but it also holds it together so it should be securely wrapped.
Wrap the prepared loin in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator overnight or at least 4 hours.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Pour the oil into a medium size skillet over medium high heat. Brown the bacon wrapped loin on all sides until it is golden brown.
Place the browned loin in a baking dish that is not too much bigger than the loin itself. Pour the cider over the top. Cover with foil and place in the preheated oven. Cook for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let rest for approximately 15 minutes before carving and serving.
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