Salmon with Lentils

A gourmet, succulent pork main with a variety of sides that will impress your guests. Recipe created by Chef Lora Kirk. Recipe courtesy of Green & Black's Organic.
Directions for: Cocoa Nib-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Green & Black's Organic Dark Chocolate & Red Wine Jus

Ingredients

Pork Tenderloin

4 5-oz pork tenderloin portions (substitute: veal, beef tenderloin, chicken)

pinch salt and pepper

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

50 g Green & Black's Organic Dark 70% chocolate, melted

cup cocoa nibs, ground in a spice mill (available at bulk food stores)

Chocolate Red Wine Pork Jus

1 raw chicken leg or wing, chopped

1 shallot, finely chopped

1 clove garlic

2 cup red wine

2 cup chicken stock (not broth)

2 cup pork, veal or beef stock (not broth)

4 sprig thyme

2 leaves bay

1 tsp unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into small pieces

40 g Green & Black's Organic Dark 70% Chocolate, very finely chopped

Parsnip Pure

2 cup butter or olive oil

cup 35% whipping cream

pinch salt

Baby Spinach

1 Tbsp butter or olive oil

1 shallot, finely diced

2 bunch baby spinach

Braised Cipollini Onions

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

2 cup cipollini onions, peeled

cup red wine, such as Pinot Noir or other heavy-bodied red

Directions

Pork Tenderloin

1. Preheat oven to 350F/177C. Season pork with salt and pepper.

2. In a frying pan over medium-high heat, heat vegetable oil. Place pork portions in pan, cooking each side until caramelized and golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.

3. Remove pork from pan and place in oven for 6-8 minutes, check for internal temperature of 150F. With pastry brush, lightly cover each pork porting with melted chocolate and roll in ground cocoa nibs. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Chocolate Red Wine Pork Jus

1. In a medium pot on medium-high heat, caramelize chicken pieces until golden.

2. In a separate medium pot over medium heat, cook shallots and garlic, 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Add cooked chicken legs to pot and deglaze with wine. Boil until liquid is reduced to a syrup consistency.

4. Add chicken and pork stock, thyme and bay leaves. Boil until liquid is reduced by half. Strain liquid through a fine sieve and return to pot.

5. Whisk in butter and dark chocolate shavings until smooth. Keep warm.

Parsnip Pure

1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, bring cream, parsnips and salt just to a boil. Lower heat and simmer until parsnips are very soft.

2. Drain parsnips, reserving cream. Blend parsnips until smooth in blender or with hand mixer, adding reserved cream if needed to reach desired consistency.

Baby Spinach

1. Line a plate with paper towels. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and saut shallots, 2-3 minutes. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Transfer spinach to paper towels to soak up extra moisture.

Braised Cipollini Onions

1. In a frying pan over medium-high heat, heat vegetable oil and saut onions, stirring often, until golden brown and caramelized, about 2-3 minutes per side. Add red wine and reduce to low heat. Simmer until onions are cooked through and liquid is reduced to a glaze.

2. To assemble dish: Place parsnip pure in center of each plate. Top with baby spinach, then pork. Place cipollini onions around the circle. Pour jus over pork.

See more: Pork, Chocolate, Main, Dinner, Chicken