“Date Night” Rolled Pork Loin Roast

Plan Z Phase: This is a Z3 (ZReboot) recipe that is a lovely option for a family gathering. Healthy Happy Holidays come to mind or a small party.

Servings: Up to 8

Ingredients:

• 6 – 8 large fresh dates, chopped
• ½ cup of pecan pieces
• 3 shallots chopped
• 3 Tbl of beef broth
• 2 Tbl of Grand Marnier liqueur
• 16 lb boneless pork loin roast
• 6 – 8 slices of bacon

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

In a small food processor whiz the dates, pecan pieces, shallots, beef broth and Grand Marnier. If you don’t have a food processor just make sure you mince everything and mix it up real good in a bowl.

Here’s the only tricky part. You need to open the roast so you can make a roll. Cut 1” into the roast and then turn your knife so you can cut in a jelly roll fashion around the roast until it all opens to a 1” thickness. Spread the filling inside. Roll it up. Cutting the roast open like this really isn’t difficult. It’s just hard to describe the process.

Place the roast seam-side down in your roasting pan. Wrap the pieces of bacon around the roast and tuck the ends underneath the roast. The bacon will hold the roast together and give you a nice crust. Roast the pork at 350 degrees for 1 – 1-1/2 hours or until your meat thermometer registers 160 degrees. Be sure to check the meat temp and not just the filling temp.

Let the roast rest on the cutting board for 10 minutes before cutting so it’s nice and juicy.

Cut into ½” slices.

I serve this with Butternut Squash Mash and another veggie if you want.

Cheers,