Varkeshaas - The Best Thing I Ever Ate (Recently)!

Valerie at More than Burnt Toast is having a fun challenge called The Best Thing I Ever Ate (Recently).  I had originally posted this recipe last year and wanted to do a re-post with some additions but somehow, while changing it, I lost the entire post (blogging can be so interesting sometimes @#!).





I've been making this recipe for a number of years and every time I serve it to guests I am inevitably asked for the recipe.  It's my all-time favorite pork tenderloin preparation and The Best Thing I Ever Ate (Recently). The deadline for the challenge is February 15th so there's still time if you'd like to join in.  Just visit More Than Burnt Toast for the details. 





To mince the shallots for the sauce, I use one of my favorite kitchen gadgets, a Microplane.









Varkenshaas (Pork Tenderloin with Mustard Sauce)

Adapted from La Petite Restaurant, Anacortes, Washington

and found on Epicurious

Printable Recipe



Serves 4



Even if you halve this recipe, you may wish to keep the sauce proportions the same, it is that good!



2 pork tenderloins (1 1/2 pounds total), trimmed

2 tablespoons olive oil

5 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 teaspoon minced shallot

1/4 cup dry white wine (always Chardonnay in our home)

2/3 cup chicken broth

3 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2/3 cup heavy cream (I have used lighter cream and even fat free versions successfully)

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh basil leaves

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh parsley leaves



Garnish: 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh chives



Preheat oven to 400° F.



Pat pork dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. In a heavy saute pan large enough to hold the tenderloins without crowding, heat the oil and 4 tablespoons butter over medium high heat until sizzling (be careful not to burn the butter), brown pork on all sides, turning occasionally, for 10 minutes. Transfer pork to a shallow baking dish and roast in the preheated oven until a meat thermometer registers 155° F. for barely pink meat, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.



Meanwhile, add the remaining tablespoon of butter and shallot to the same saute pan used to brown the meat, and cook over medium heat until softened. Add wine, broth, and mustard ,scraping up any browned bits, and simmer until reduced by almost half. Add the heavy or light cream along with the chopped basil and simmer until thickened. Stir in the chopped parsley and add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.



Cut pork into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Pour sauce over pork and garnish with chives.



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