Applesauce Stuffed Tenderloin

Pork tenderloins flavored with vermouth and stuffed with mixture of apple juice, applesauce, dry roasted peanuts, salt, pepper and fennel seeds. Baked to golden outside, bubbly stuffing inside.

Ingredients -

2 (1-pound each) Pork Tenderloins
1/4 cup Dry Vermouth
Vegetable Cooking Spray
2/3 cup Chunky Applesauce
1/4 cup finely chopped Dry Roasted Peanuts
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon finely crushed Fennel Seed
1/8 teaspoon Pepper

Preparation:

1. Cut lengthwise pocket in each tenderloin almost to, but not through, bottom of each tenderloin.

2. Place tenderloins in casserole.

3. Pour vermouth over tenderloins and in pockets.

4. Cover with foil. Marinate 1 hour.

5. Preheat oven to 375 F.

6. Spray large baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

7. Add applesauce, peanuts, salt, fennel seed and pepper to small bowl. Stir to combine.

8. Spoon applesauce mixture into each tenderloin. Secure pockets with toothpicks.

9. Bake tenderloins 30 minutes. Remove from oven. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing. Remove toothpicks.

Cooking Tip

Vermouth

You could certainly substitute 1/4 cup Apple Juice for the vermouth, if you choose.

Cooking Tip

Fennel Seed

Substitute dried cumin for the fennel if necessary. Anise seed and finely chopped fennel would also make suitable substitutes.