Pork Tenderloin with Figs and Onions

* 2 pork tenderloins, about a pound each
* Salt
* 4 Tbsp butter
* 1 white or yellow onion
* 1 teaspoon sugar
* 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
* 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, minced
* 8-10 mission (dark) figs, quartered
* 2 Tbsp chopped parsley
* 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice
* Black pepper

Method

1 Salt the pork tenderloins well and set them out at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Heat the oven to 300°F.

2 Slice the onion into strips lengthwise (from the top to the root end). Cutting the onion this way helps keep the pieces hold their shape.

3 Heat 3 tablespoons of the butter in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Pat the tenderloins dry with paper towels. Place the tenderloins in the pan and sear on all sides, until nicely browned. Remove the tenderloins to an oven-proof pan, and place in the oven at 300°F. Cook for 15-20 minutes, until an instant read thermometer inserted into the center of the tenderloins reaches 140°F. Then remove from oven and let rest.

4 While the tenderloins are roasting, add the onions to the sauté pan along with the other tablespoon of butter. Sprinkle with salt. Toss to combine and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Add the sugar and balsamic vinegar, and toss to combine again. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 15 minutes.

5 Once the onions have softened and browned, add the rosemary and figs. Increase the heat to medium-high and stir to combine. Sauté 2 minutes, stirring often.

6 Remove from the heat. Mix in the parsley and lemon juice. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Slice the pork tenderloins into 1/4-inch thick slices and serve alongside the onions and figs.

Limoncella Macaroons

heidi's 101 cookbooks blog:

The original recipe is an almond paste base enhanced with Grand Marnier as a flavor accent. But I can imagine taking these cookies in many different directions. This time around I went the lemon route, but if you can imagine an ingredient pairing well with sweet almonds, you might try it here. I used two tubes of Odense almond paste here, but be interested if any of you know of a good, pure almond paste make from organic almonds. Also, be sure to buy almond paste, not marzipan.

1 large egg white
14 oz / 400g almond paste

1/2 cup / 2 oz / 55g confectioners' sugar, sifted, plus quite a bit more for surface and coating

1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
scant 2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon limoncello
scant 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Beat the egg white, the almond paste, confectioners' sugar, and almond extract together either by hand or with an electric mixer, until creamy, about 2 minutes.

Add the zest, limoncello, and salt and beat until combined, another 30 seconds.

Coat a clean/dry surface with a generous handful of sifted confectioners' sugar then turn the dough out onto it. Shape and roll out the dough into two 3/4-inch thick logs, roughly 18 inches long. Cut each log into 24 equal pieces (see photo). Make sure each piece is entirely coated in sugar, tapping to remove excess.

Transfer to prepared baking sheets. They don't spread much so you can crowd them a bit more than you might with other cookies. Let stand for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350F / 180C degrees. Use three fingers to gently pinch each piece of dough to form an irregular pyramid shape of you like, or you can leave them pillow shaped. Bake until pale golden, about 15 minutes. Alternatively, I also like them deeply golden, it's a matter of personal preference really, but baking for a few extra minutes will achieve this. Transfer the cookies from baking sheets to wire racks, and let cool completely. These cookies keep well in an air-tight container for a few days.

Makes 4 dozen bite-sized cookies.

These cookies are a riff on the Pinched Orange Macaroons by Patrick Lemble (executive pastry chef at the Four Seasons restaurant, New York City) highlighted in the December 2009 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

veal stew with greens

found an old copy of food and wine (apr 10) with this recipe. when i saw veal stew in the grocery, i made it. delicious. even w/o watercress. roasted a sweet potato, a celery root and a golden beet, drizzled some basil vinaigrette, and what a wonderful lunch. cause we're eating out again tonight.

Ingredients

1. 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2. 1 tablespoon canola oil
3. 3 pounds veal shoulder, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
4. Salt and freshly ground pepper
5. 1 cup dry white wine
6. 5 cups spinach leaves, chopped
7. 5 cups sorrel leaves, chopped
8. 1 head of romaine, chopped
9. 1 bunch of watercress, chopped
10. 1 leek, finely chopped
11. 1/4 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
12. 1/4 cup finely chopped tarragon
13. 1/4 cup finely chopped chives
14. 1 cup crème fraîche
15. Steamed rice, for serving

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°. In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, melt the butter in the oil. Season the veal with salt and pepper. Add it to the casserole and cook over high heat, turning occasionally, until browned, 12 minutes. Add the wine, cover with a sheet of parchment paper and the lid and braise in the oven for about 1 hour, until the meat is nearly tender.
2. Add the spinach, sorrel, romaine, watercress, leek, parsley, tarragon, chives and crème fraîche to the casserole. Stir well; season with salt and pepper. Cover again with the parchment and the lid and braise for 30 minutes longer, until the greens are wilted and the veal is tender. Transfer the stew to bowls and serve with rice.