Hopping John Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
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layers of flavor all rolled up
You know what a fan I am of pork tenderloin. Because of it’s light taste, it easily picks up the flavor of whatever you use to decorate it. With this in mind, I just couldn’t wait to stuff it with the layer upon layer of flavor in traditional southern Hopping John. The result was delicious, of course. But it sure is beautiful on a plate as well. Enjoy.
If you are a big fan of pork tenderloin like I am be sure to check out my other recipes, Mustard-Crusted Pork Tenderloin, Tangy Pork, and Pesto Pork Tenderloin.
cooking information
- Yield: 12 Entrees
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 2-2 ½ hours
all ingredients
- 2 Pork Tenderloins
- 1/2 Pound Black-Eyed Peas
- 1 Ham Hock
- 1 Small Onion
- 2 Dried Bay Leaves
- 2 Garlic Cloves, crushed
- 1/2 Cup Cooked White Rice
- 1 Can Tomatoes with Chiles
- 1 Green Bell Pepper, finely chopped
- 3 Ribs of Celery, finely chopped
- 1 Jalapeno, finely minced
- 1 tsp Ground Thyme
- 1 tsp Ground Cumin
- ½ tsp Cayenne
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1/2 tsp Ground Pepper
recipe instruction
1. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.
2. To a large saucepot add black-eyed peas, ham hock, bay leaves, garlic cloves, and your onion sliced in half. Add water according to the black-eyed peas’ instructions.
3. Turn to high heat; bring to a boil. Once it begins to boil, reduce to medium heat and let simmer for 1 hour, or until your peas are tender.
4. Prepare your rice. (I like to use the pre-cooked rice that I can cook in my microwave.)
5. Prepare your veggies. Open your can of tomatoes and chilies. Chop your celery, pepper, and jalapeno. Set aside.
6. Once your beans are ready, remove the ham hock, onion, garlic, and bay leaves. Drain your peas.
7. Place the peas back in the large sauce pot. Add your cooked rice, chopped veggies, and your thyme, cumin, cayenne, salt and pepper. Stir and set aside.
8. Take your pork tenderloins and make long slices with your knife down the loin. Continue until your pork tenderloin is opened.
9. Spoon your Hoppin’ John mixture into the middle of the pork tenderloin.
10. Roll your pork tenderloin up. Tie together using butcher’s twine, or hold together using tooth picks. Repeat with your second pork tenderloin.
11. Place the tenderloins into your roasting pan. If there is any extra Hopping John, spoon over the uncooked pork tenderloins and let roast together.
12. Once both tenderloins are prepared, place in your oven and let cook for approximately 1 hour or until your pork reaches the temperature of 150 degrees.
13. Remove from the oven. Let rest. Slice, serve and enjoy!
cooking tips
- If filleting your pork makes you nervous, ask your butcher. They should be happy to help you.
- This makes a delicious entrée, of course, but turn it into an appetizer by serving slices of the tenderloin on top of wedges of toasted white bread. Drizzle your favorite barbecue sauce on top.
- This meal is a special treat for New Year’s Day as pork and black-eyed peas are both considered good-luck foods.
