Meat, Classics and bistro fare
Pork tenderloin with prunes and mashed potatoes
Pork tenderloin with prunes and mashed potatoes is a French braised dish for 4 people, ready in 65 minutes, rated easy, for €3.40 per serving. The roasted tenderloin stays pink and juicy, the creamy prune sauce adds gentle sweetness, and the smooth homemade mash rounds it out. The key is cooking the pork with a thermometer so it never dries out.
A roasted pork tenderloin with a barely sweet prune sauce, served with smooth homemade mashed potatoes.
- Total time
- 1 h 05
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost per person
- €3.40
- Calories per person
- 590 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
- Season
- Winter, Fall
Pork tenderloin, seared in butter then roasted, stays tender with a pink center when the cooking is right. The prune sauce, finished with cream and deglazed with white wine, is never too sweet, just enough to balance the richness of the meat. Prunes steeped in tea pick up a subtle fragrance that sets them apart from plain prunes.
This is a cold weather dish, warming without being heavy, perfect for a family Sunday or a weeknight dinner when you have a bit more time. The homemade mash, smooth thanks to a potato masher, brings that comforting touch everyone around the table enjoys. Mon Chou loves this bistro classic for how simple it is and how impressive the result turns out without any complicated effort.
The ingredients
Butcher
- Pork tenderloin 800 g
Pantry
- Pitted prunes 200 g
- White wine 15 cl
- Black tea 1 bag
- Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
- Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch
Fruits and vegetables
- Potatoes 1 kg
- Shallots 2
Dairy
- Heavy cream 10 cl
- Butter 90 g
- Milk 15 cl
Allergens Lactose
The step by step recipe
-
Soak the prunes in a bowl of hot tea. 30 min
The tea gives them a subtle fragrance.
-
Sear the pork tenderloin in butter on all sides, then roast it in the oven at 180 °C. 25 min
Use a thermometer, take the tenderloin out at 63 °C at the core so it stays pink and juicy.
-
Meanwhile, sweat the shallots, deglaze with white wine, add the prunes and the cream. 10 min
Let it reduce gently until it coats the back of a spoon.
-
Boil the potatoes in water and mash them with the hot milk and butter. 20 min
A potato masher keeps the mash light, a blender would make it gluey.
-
Let the tenderloin rest, slice it, and spoon the prune sauce over it. 5 min
The tenderloin keeps cooking off the heat, take it out at 60 °C at the core.
Our tips to get it right
- Take the pork tenderloin out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking so it cooks more evenly.
- Pick soft, plump prunes from the start, they rehydrate better in the warm tea.
- Always save a bit of the potato cooking water, it can rescue a mash that turns out too thick.
The variations
- Swap the white wine for apple juice for an alcohol free sauce that's just as flavorful.
- For a faster version, use instant mashed potato flakes and focus your time on the meat and sauce.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or a little allspice to the sauce for a more wintery note.
What to serve it with
- A well dressed green salad
- Steamed green beans
- A glass of grape juice
Storage
The pork tenderloin and its sauce keep for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. The meat freezes well with its sauce, but the mash loses texture once thawed. Reheat gently in a skillet or the oven so the pork doesn't dry out.
Questions about this dish
Can you make the prune sauce ahead of time?
Yes, the sauce can be made the day before and gently reheated over low heat. It actually tastes even better after a night in the fridge.
How do you know the pork tenderloin is done without a thermometer?
Press the meat with the back of a fork, it should feel slightly springy without being mushy. A thermometer is still more reliable for keeping the center pink.
Can you replace the heavy cream with a lighter cream?
Yes, the sauce will just be a bit less rich. Let it reduce a little longer to make up for it.
Is pork tenderloin with prunes a good dish for kids?
Some kids are hesitant about prunes in a sauce. You can serve the sauce on the side so everyone adjusts it to their taste.
How long does it take to make a pork tenderloin with prunes and homemade mashed potatoes?
Count 1 h 05 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.
How many calories are in a pork tenderloin with prunes and homemade mashed potatoes?
About 590 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.
How much does a pork tenderloin with prunes and homemade mashed potatoes cost?
About €3.40 per serving, or €13.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.
What allergens does this recipe contain?
This recipe contains lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.
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