10/19/2009

Bacon-Wrapped Pork Loin & Herbed Butter

The Holidays are coming up and it's time for some family-friendly comfort food!
Also, how about winning a $17,000 Family Getaway?!
I recently got this fun package from Challenge Dairy asking me to make an Entree with these ingredients...I tweaked a recipe I had on file for Bacon-Wrapped Pork Loin (I had always wanted to play with it, I had thought the glaze was too dry) and the results were delicious! All the kids gobbled it up! Pork wrapped in pork....YUM...:)

The best part is serving it with herbed butter (we used fresh chives and lemon juice). It's a simple and gorgeous entertaining idea. Guess What? Challenge Butter is giving away A Taste of the West 7-Day/6-Night trip for 4 people to the incredible Mountain Sky Guest Ranch in Montana's Paradise Valley. Airfare, food, accommodations, and lots of activities are included in this $17,000 luxury getaway! Go here to enter!
Also, if you blog about this giveaway and send an email to ChallengeButter@gmail.com, you will be entered for a chance to win one of five $100 gift cards!

Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin
Ingredients:
1 boneless pork loin, about 5 pounds
6 to 8 slices bacon
Rub Mixture:
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon beau monde seasoning (optional)
Glaze:
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

Directions:
Heat oven to 350°.
Place pork loin in a roasting pan. Combine the rub ingredients and rub over the pork.
Lay bacon slices over the pork loin.
Roast for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the pork registers about 150°. In the meantime, combine the butter, brown sugar, flour, cider vinegar, and dry mustard in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and simmer for about 1 minute. Spoon over the pork and return to the oven. Roast for about 15 to 20 minutes longer, or until pork registers 160°. If you want the bacon extra-crispy, broil for 2-3 minutes, just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn. Serve with mashed potatoes, rolls, and herbed butter (recipe below).
The sweet and savory bacon around the spicy pork loin is such a great flavor combination! YUM!
Herbed Butter
Ingredients:
½ c (one stick) butter, softened
2 T. chives, minced
½ tsp. lemon juice

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.
Spoon into a pastry bag with a large star tip (I use a Wilton 1M tip). Or, if you don’t have decorating tips, simply spoon into a ziploc freezer baggie, snip an end off, and you can pipe out small circles or shapes.
Pipe out flowers onto wax paper, return to fridge to harden. Remove just before serving and set on individual plates or a serving platter. I love making these ahead of time and having them ready to serve! (Try butter mixed with cocoa powder and served with various breads. YUMMY!!)

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