bacon wrapped Archives - Passion for Pork

On July 16 and 17, Say Uncle, one of Edmonton’s newest restaurants, played host to back-to-back Swine and Dine dinners. Opening on 104^th street downtown in late May, Chef Uncle is a self-described modern dive bar generated from the owners of Edmonton’s Sandwich & Sons, Northern Chicken, and Prairie Catering.

Chef Andrew Cowan, who has three Swine & Dines under his belt at three different restaurants, happily agreed to host a Swine and Dine at Say Uncle, and then handed over the reins in the kitchen to chef Trevor Moan. Moan’s five-course menu for $50, including tax and gratuity, featured Alberta pork from appetizer to dessert, as well as variations for regular Say Uncle menu items.

SAY UNCLE’S SWINE AND DINE MENU

FIRST COURSE
Poutine Croquette

A departure from Say Uncle’s traditional poutine, chef Moan served cornmeal crusted potato croquettes with a cheese curd mornay and beef & pork gravy.

SECOND COURSE
Daikon (Not) Radish

Traditionally a vegetarian dish on the Say Uncle menu, chef Moan porkafied the dish by wrapping the daikon in bacon and accompanying it with Robouchon (butter and cream loaded) mashed potato, pearl onions, pork belly jam, and a garlic crumb.

THIRD COURSE
Carrot Terrine

To ensure we got a healthy dose of vegetables, and satisfy the all pork requirement of a Swine and Dine, chef Moan served rainbow carrots braised in Alberta pork lard alongside parsnips and mustard greens.

FOURTH COURSE
Peameal Pork Chop

Inspired by peameal sandwich off a Northern Chicken menu (which can be traced back to chef Cowan’s Ontario roots and obsession with peameal bacon), chef Moan served a succulent peameal crusted pork chop topped with maple pickled mustard seeds. The dish was accomapanied with an Alberta pulse packed succotash and broccoli butter cream.

DESSERT
Alberta Pot De Crème

Chef Moan shared that he likes custard desserts, so he decided to share a pot de crème with Bourbon sauce and topped with crispy pork crackling.

Say Uncle
10184 – 104 STREET • 1.780.540.5369 • HELLO@SAYUNCLE.CA
11AM – 1AM DAILY, CLOSED EARLY ON SUNDAYS

Pork month may have ended but my passion for pork certainly has not. This past weekend we entertained around twenty guests at our home in celebration of Canada Day and, well… BBQ SEASON! It’s always good day when I have an opportunity to get creative in the kitchen. But catching up with good friends and sharing laughs with amazing food is what summer is all about, right?

When I was choosing what to serve, my inspiration for this dish actually came from one of our Calgary chef’s pork month specials which included apricots. Pork tenderloin is always a great choice because it cooks up easy, is very nutritious and super tender. This spice combination has a delicate balance of flavour. The bacon contributes more flavour and saltiness while finishing with a warm apricot reduction, I think completes this dish with a perfect zesty sweetness. So… here is my recipe, please eat responsibly! (if you can)

WHAT YOU NEED

This recipe is for two pork tenderloins, approximately one pound each.
*Note: I am dressing a whole tenderloin in the photo above.

THE RUB:

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp dark brown sugar

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper

1/4 tsp ground allspice

pinch himalayan sea salt
TIP *Because the bacon adds salt, I used very little additional salt.

MORE PROTEIN:

1/2 package sliced bacon of choice
*I used side bacon.

APRICOT SAUCE:

8- 10 fresh apricots

1-2 tbsp honey or granulated sugar

1 tbsp olive oil

HERE’S WHAT TO DO

Mix all the spices for the rub in a small bowl. Set aside.

Preheat barbecue grill to low-medium – medium heat.

Clean and trim off excess connective tissue from tenderloin(s) if needed.

Using your hand, rub the spice mixture evenly across the meat until all of the meat is covered on one side. Roll the tenderloin(s) and continue to rub the spice mixture until it is completely covered.

Next, take individual bacon slices and wrap them around tenderloin(s) slightly overlapping each section. Leave approximately 1 inch on both ends of the loin uncovered.

Wrap the loins in tinfoil and barbecue on medium heat, turning once until internal temperature is just under 71 degrees. (68 or so degrees) Remove and let stand for 3-5 mins.

While the meat is cooking, prepare the apricots by pitting and slicing them into even pieces. Add them to a medium skillet with the olive oil.

Sauté apricots on medium heat until tender. Add the sweetener and simmer on low for several minutes. The sauce should be slightly thickened and chunky.

Slice the tenderloin and serve immediately with warm apricot sauce.

Tag: bacon wrapped

Recap: Swine and Dine at Say Uncle

Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Apricot Sauce