A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala

Yield: 4 servings. ¼ cup golden raisins ¼ cup dried cranberries ¼ cup prunes, pitted and chopped ½ cup port wine 2 teaspoons unsalted butter 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled,

Rosemary and Goat Cheese Strata

Yield: 4 servings. ¼ cup golden raisins ¼ cup dried cranberries ¼ cup prunes, pitted and chopped ½ cup port wine 2 teaspoons unsalted butter 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled,

Pork Tenderloin Stuffed with Apples & Dried Fruit

Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

Yield: 4 servings.

¼ cup golden raisins
¼ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup prunes, pitted and chopped
½ cup port wine
2 teaspoons unsalted butter
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
1 cup onions, chopped
¼ cup water
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 (1-pound) pork tenderloin
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
½ cup chicken stock

In a small bowl, mix the dried fruit with the wine. Melt the butter in a large ovenproof skillet. Add the apple and cook over moderate heat for 5 minutes. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the water as the pan dries out.

Drain the dried fruit, reserving the wine. Stir the dried fruit into the apple and onion in the skillet, and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a plate to cool. Coarsely chop half a cup of the fruit mixture and reserve it for making the sauce. Wipe out the skillet.

Preheat the oven to 425º. Insert the handle of a wooden spoon into the thick end of the tenderloin. Carefully push the handle through the tenderloin, and roll the meat to widen the hole slightly. Stuff the tenderloin with the fruit mixture, and seal the ends with toothpicks.

Heat the oil in the skillet. Season the meat with salt and pepper, and brown it in the skillet over high heat, turning to brown all sides. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast the meat for 10 minutes. Transfer the meat to a cutting board, cover with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 minutes.

Add the reserved wine to the skillet and cook over high heat, scraping up any browned bits, until syrupy, about 2 minutes. Add the stock and cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Stir in the reserved ½ cup of the fruit mixture, and season with salt and pepper. Slice the tenderloin crosswise, in ½-inch-thick pieces, and serve with the sauce.

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This story was published on Dec 11, 2015

Lynn Wells

Lynn Wells is a personal chef with more than 20 years of experience in the food and hospitality industry and a degree in Nutrition Management from UNCG.