Pork Verkenshaas

It was a difficult decision, but this ended up being my favorite meal from Jessie's menu.  The pork is tender and juicy, something I rarely manage unless I use the crock pot.  And the sauce was deliciously rich.  It was simple to put together, but tasted special, especially served next to a heaping mound of garlic mashed potatoes.  

2 pork tenderloins (1 1/2 pounds total), trimmed (I only used one tenderloin that was a little over a pound and didn't trim it)

2 tablespoons olive oil

5 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 teaspoon minced shallot

1/4 cup dry white wine

2/3 cup chicken broth

3 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2/3 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh basil leaves (1/2 tsp. dried)

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh parsley leaves (didn't use at all)

Preheat oven to 400° F.

Pat pork dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. In a large skillet heat oil and 4 tablespoons butter over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and brown pork on all sides. Reduce heat to moderate and cook pork, covered, turning occasionally, 10 minutes. Transfer pork to a shallow baking dish and roast in oven until a meat thermometer registers 155° F. for barely pink meat, 10 to 15 minutes.

While pork is roasting, add remaining tablespoon butter and shallot to skillet and cook over moderate heat until softened. Add wine, broth, and mustard and simmer, scraping up brown bits, until reduced by about half. Add cream and basil and simmer until thickened. Stir in parsley and salt and pepper to taste.

Cut pork into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Pour sauce over pork and serve with mashed potatoes.