Description
Festive Christmas stuffed pork roast brings holiday warmth to family gatherings with its rich, savory filling and perfectly seasoned meat. Elegant centerpiece meat promises delightful flavors that will charm guests and create memorable dining moments.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 pounds pork loin, center cut
- 4 medium-sized sweet potatoes
- 4 cups young spinach leaves
Meat and Protein Enhancers:
- 5 slices smoked bacon, diced
- 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 10 whole garlic cloves
Flavor Ingredients:
- 1 large shallot, chopped
- 1 small apple, peeled and finely diced
- 1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons brandy or cognac (optional)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 1/2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 tablespoons plain flour
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, ground
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
- 2 sprigs each of fresh rosemary and thyme
- 2 tablespoons avocado or olive oil
- 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons herbes de Provence
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 cup strained drippings broth
Instructions
- Crisp bacon in a large pan over medium heat for 5 minutes until golden and rendered.
- Incorporate shallots and cook until translucent, then add spinach, garlic, and optional brandy, sautéing until spinach wilts.
- Transfer aromatic mixture to a mixing bowl and fold in diced apples, dried cranberries, warming spices, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and chopped fresh herbs.
- Butterfly pork loin by slicing lengthwise, then gently flatten with a meat mallet. Season with salt and generously spread prepared filling across the surface.
- Carefully roll the pork into a compact cylinder, securing tightly with kitchen twine to maintain shape and even cooking.
- Sear rolled roast in a hot pan, browning all exterior surfaces until achieving a rich golden crust.
- Add whole garlic cloves, fresh herb sprigs, and chicken stock to the pan, creating a flavorful braising liquid.
- Transfer to preheated oven at 425°F and roast for 75-90 minutes, monitoring internal temperature until reaching 160°F.
- Simultaneously roast seasoned sweet potatoes at the same temperature for 25-35 minutes until tender and caramelized.
- Allow roast to rest before slicing, serving with pan gravy and roasted sweet potatoes for a festive presentation.
Notes
- Make sure bacon is crispy for maximum flavor intensity and textural contrast in the stuffing.
- Slice pork loin carefully to create an even surface for consistent filling distribution and perfect rolling technique.
- Use kitchen twine securely to prevent stuffing from falling out during cooking and maintain roast’s beautiful shape.
- Check internal temperature with meat thermometer to ensure pork is perfectly cooked without drying out.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 100-125 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg