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Piquillo Pepper and Manchego Stuffing (for Grilled Stuffed Pork Tenderloin)

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 15, 2013

Time

15 minutes

Yield

Serves 4 to 6 (Makes about 1 cup, enough for 2 tenderloins)

Piquillo Pepper and Manchego Stuffing (for Grilled Stuffed Pork Tenderloin)

Ingredients

1 slice hearty white sandwich bread, torn into ½-inch pieces¾ cup piquillo pepper, rinsed and patted dry2 ounces Manchego cheese, shredded (½ cup)¼ cup pine nuts, toasted 2 garlic cloves, minced1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Pulse all ingredients except salt and pepper in food processor until coarsely chopped, 5 to 10 pulses; season with salt and pepper to taste.
Piquillo Pepper and Manchego Stuffing (for Grilled Stuffed Pork Tenderloin)

Piquillo Pepper and Manchego Stuffing (for Grilled Stuffed Pork Tenderloin)

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

15 minutes

Yield

Serves 4 to 6 (Makes about 1 cup, enough for 2 tenderloins)

Ingredients

1 slice hearty white sandwich bread, torn into ½-inch pieces
¾ cup piquillo pepper, rinsed and patted dry
2 ounces Manchego cheese, shredded (½ cup)
¼ cup pine nuts, toasted
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Ingredients

1 slice hearty white sandwich bread, torn into ½-inch pieces
¾ cup piquillo pepper, rinsed and patted dry
2 ounces Manchego cheese, shredded (½ cup)
¼ cup pine nuts, toasted
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Ingredients

1 slice hearty white sandwich bread, torn into ½-inch pieces
¾ cup piquillo pepper, rinsed and patted dry
2 ounces Manchego cheese, shredded (½ cup)
¼ cup pine nuts, toasted
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Why This Recipe Works

Pork tenderloin has many advantages that make it an ideal candidate for the grill: It’s quick-cooking, extremely tender, and has a uniform shape which allows for even cooking. But this cut is also mild and lean, making it prone to drying out. Stuffing this roast solves these problems by adding flavor and moisture. Pounding and rolling the tenderloins created more surface area for the filling and helped prevent leaks. Pulsing bold ingredients—such as olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and porcini mushrooms—in a food processor produced an intense paste that stayed put and didn’t ooze out. A two-level fire, with the coals spread over half the grill, allowed the pork to cook evenly without drying out, while a sprinkling of sugar on the outside of each tenderloin boosted browning significantly.

Instructions

  1. Pulse all ingredients except salt and pepper in food processor until coarsely chopped, 5 to 10 pulses; season with salt and pepper to taste.

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