Pecan apricot cheddar pork sirloin, rolled in bacon

Portions : 8

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time : about 60 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 Québec pork sirloin (about 1.5 kg)
  
• 60 ml (4 tablespoons) olive oil
  
• 125 ml (1/2 cup) pecans, crushed
  
• 125 ml (1/2 cup) shallot, chopped
  
• 125 ml (1/2 cup) dried apricots, chopped
  
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  
• 15 ml (1 tbsp.) herbes de Provence blend
  
• 125 ml (1/2 cup) sharp cheddar, grated
  
• 8 to 12 slices bacon
  
• Salt and pepper to taste
  

Stewed onions

• 4 onions, thinly sliced
  
• 30 mL (2 tbsp.) butter
  
• 60 ml (4 tbsp)whisky (optional)
  
• 30 ml (2 tbsp.) soy sauce
  
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
  
• 2 thyme sprigs, leaves removed
  
• 60 ml (4 tbsp)amber maple syrup
  
• 250 ml (1 cup) 35% cooking cream (optional, to make a sauce)
  
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F), rack in center, on convection.
   
2. In a frying pan with a little fat, sear the pork loin in olive oil for 2 minutes on each side.
   
3. Remove from pan and season with salt and pepper.
   
4. Using a long knife, make a slit in the center of the loin from one edge to the other, to create a cavity for stuffing.
   
5. In a bowl, combine the pecans, shallot, apricots, garlic, herbes de Provence and cheddar cheese.
   
6. Using your fingers, work as much of this mixture as possible into the pork loin.
   
7. On the work surface, spread the bacon slices, overlapping slightly.
   
8. At one end of the bacon arrangement, place the pork loin, then roll up to wrap the bacon loin.
   
9. Place the pork loin in a roasting pan and bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 71°C (160°F).

10. If the bacon is not yet fully colored, finish broiling for a few minutes.

11. Wrap in aluminum foil and let stand for 10 minutes, to help the juices distribute throughout the meat.

12. While meat is cooking, sauté onions in butter in a hot skillet for 5 minutes.

13. Deglaze with whisky, add soy sauce, garlic, thyme, maple syrup and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Check seasoning.

14. Serve the onion compote as is, or with 35% cream to make a sauce.

15. Serve the pork with the onion compote and, for example, mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans.