Pork with Corn-Cilantro Pecan Pesto

Vegetable oil spray
1/4 cup Corn-Cilantro Pesto (recipe follows)
1 lb. pork tenderloin, all visible fat removed
1 cup Tomato Sauce (recipe follows)

Corn-Cilantro Pesto (makes about 3/4 cup):
1 cup firmly packed cilantro leaves
1/4 cup firmly packed parsley leaves
1/4 cup grated or shredded Parmesan or Romano cheese
1/3 cup canned no-salt-added whole kernel corn, drained
2 tbsp. chopped Georgia pecans
1 tbsp. chopped shallot
1 tbsp. fresh lime juice
2 garlic cloves, quartered
1/4 tsp. salt
4 tsp. olive oil
Fresh lime juice or water (optional)

Tomato Sauce (makes about 1 cup):
Vegetable oil spray
1/3 cup chopped onions
1 garlic clove, minced, or 2 tsp. bottled minced garlic
1 (8-oz.) can no-salt-added tomato sauce
1/4 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper

Using vegetable oil spray, spray a broiler pan with rack or a wire rack and a shallow roasting pan.

Prepare pesto in a blender or food processor. Process cilantro, parsley, Parmesan, corn, pecans, shallot, 1 tbsp. lime juice, garlic and salt until well combined, stopping and scraping the sides occasionally.

With machine running, gradually add oil. Process until well combined. If the pesto is thicker than you like, add a teaspoon or so of lime juice.

Preheat oven to 425F.

Butterfly the tenderloin by cutting it lengthwise almost in half. Lay out flat. Cover meat with plastic wrap. Use the flat end of a meat mallet to pound meat to a ¼-inch thickness.

Spread 1/4 cup pesto over cut surface of tenderloin. Roll up tenderloin from one of the short ends and tie in several places with string to secure. (Can be wrapped in plastic wrap at this point and stored in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours before cooking.)

Place tenderloin on prepared rack in broiler pan. Roast, uncovered, for 20 minutes, then turn tenderloin over and roast 10 to 20 minutes, or until a meat thermometer registers 160F. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare Tomato Sauce. Spray a medium saucepan with vegetable oil spray. Add onion and garlic and cook over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, or until tender.

Stir in remaining sauce ingredients. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes, or until desired consistency.

Cut pork into medallions and serve with sauce.

COOK’S TIP: Tenderloin usually comes packaged in two pieces. Wrap the unused piece and refrigerate or freeze for another recipe.

This recipe makes more pesto than you need for the pork, so try some with pasta or stir some into vegetable soup for a fresh flavor boost. Refrigerate leftover pesto in a small airtight container for up to one week, or freeze for up to one month.

Servings: 4
Source: Georgia Pecan Commission