Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin

Pork tenderloin looks fancy and can be prepared by even the least experienced chef. Simply roast it for a delicious addition to any dinner.

This recipe doubles the pork through wrapping strips of bacon around the loin and then oven roasting. The bacon drippings will help tenderize the loin and keep it from drying out during roasting - not to mention the phenomenal flavor enhancement.

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Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin

Step 1: Prep Tenderloin

• Preheat oven to 400F

Place one sheet of aluminum foil, about 15” long, on a sheet pan. Using:

12 oz bacon

Create a bacon bed by placing strips of bacon horizontally across tinfoil-covered sheet pan.

• Tip: place the strips close enough together that they almost overlap on the long sides

Select:

1 (~2 lb) boneless pork tenderloin

Place in the center of the prepared bacon bed. Season all over with:

Garlic salt

Selecting one piece of bacon at a time and rotating between left and right, create a “braided” design over the top of the pork loin:

• Bring up the end of the slice of bacon and wrap around the pork loin at a slight angle

• Next, select the bacon end from the opposite side and wrap over the loin, also covering the end of the first strip

• Repeat, rotating between the two sides, with remaining bacon strips to create the appearance of a braid down the center of the pork loin (see recipe photo)

• Secure the end of the final strip with a wooden toothpick if needed

Step 2: Roast Tenderloin

Lightly cover the prepared pork loin with aluminum foil, transfer to the preheated oven:

• Roast the loin at 400F for 15 minutes

• Remove aluminum foil (retain for later), return loin to oven and roast for an additional 20 minutes, or until internal temperature is 145F

• Remove from oven and cover with the retained foil

• Rest for 10 minutes then slice to serve

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Brenda’s tips:

• Serving size: 4-8 servings

• Note: any size of tenderloin can be used in this recipe, just be sure to adjust cooking time so that the tenderloin is cooked to 145F

  • Plan ~20 minutes per pound when cooking a pork tenderloin

• For additional flavor, marinade pork loin for ~8 hours in a mixture of garlic and soy sauce prior to wrapping in bacon

• Or give the loin a good rubdown with salt and refrigerate for ~8 hours before roasting

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Window to B’s kitchen . . .

Creamy Tortellini Soup

A rich, creamy soup full of Italian flavors. Prepare a batch of homemade Cheese Tortellini prior to making the soup or speed things up tremendously by using a pre-packaged fresh tortellini.

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Creamy Tortellini Soup

To a large pot, heated to medium, add:

1 Tbsp oil

1/2 cup onion, finely diced

1 Tbsp garlic, minced

Sauté, cooking for 2-3 minutes. Add:

1 lb ground sausage

Cook until nicely browned, then season with:

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp ground sage

Deglaze pan with:

1 cup chicken broth

Then stir in:

4 cups chicken broth

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

Simmer 20 minutes. Add:

1 batch fresh cheese tortellini (prepared in advance)

• Substitute: 1 (9 or 10 oz) package cheese tortellini

Simmer ~5 minutes. Stir in:

1/2 cup heavy cream

Cook for 2 minutes and serve hot.

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Brenda’s tips:

• Serving size: 4 servings

• No cream on hand? In a saucepan, put together a bechamel sauce and whisk it into the simmering soup:

  • 3 Tbsp butter

  • 3 Tbsp flour

  • 1 cup milk

• This soup can also be made with chicken or beef

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Window to B’s kitchen . . .

HOW TO: Bone Broth

HOW TO: Bone Broth

To a slow cooker, add:

Bones

Water (enough to cover bones)

Set to low. Simmer 18-36 hours.

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Brenda’s tips:

• Bone broth can be substituted for broth or stock in recipes, but expect a slight impact to flavor. 

• To create Bone Broth Stock, simply add vegetable scraps to the pot: onions, carrots, garlic, etc.

• Brenda generally collects bones in a freezer bag until she’s got enough to warrant making bone broth. 

• Bone broth is made from simmering bones for 18-36 hours. It’s suggested there are many benefits to consuming bone broth. Brenda makes bone broth so as to utilize ingredients fully. 

• Bone broth can be made from poultry, pork, beef or fish bones. It’s recommended, but not necessary, to roast the raw bones for 10-15 minutes before adding to the slow cooker. Brenda hasn’t noticed enough flavor impact to take the time.

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Window to B’s kitchen . . .