2 pork tenderloins (16 oz.) round wooden toothpicks 12 slices bacon, thick sliced salt, to taste pepper, to taste
Texas Caviar: 3 (15 oz. ea.) cans black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed (about 4 c.) 1/2 c. green onion, thinly sliced 3 Tbsp. olive oil 2 Tbsp. chili powder 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
What to do:
1. For Texas Caviar, combine black-eyed peas and green onion in large bowl. Stir together olive oil, chili powder and vinegar. Add oil mixture to black-eyed pea mixture; stir until evenly coated. Cover; marinate at room temperature for 2-4 hrs., stirring occasionally. 2. At least 15 min. before grilling, soak toothpicks in enough water to cover. Prepare a medium-hot fire in grill. 3. Bring 1-1/2-in. of water to boil in large skillet. Meanwhile, cut each tenderloin into 6 pieces, making 1 1/2-1 3/4-in.-thick medallions. Lightly season with salt and pepper; set aside. 4. Add bacon to boiling water; return to a boil. Boil, uncovered, for 1 min. Drain, cool slightly. Wrap 1 piece of bacon around each medallion, securing with soaked toothpicks. 5. Grill bacon-wrapped medallions, cut sides down and uncovered, over direct heat for 12-15 min. or until internal temperature of pork reaches 145°F, turning medallions over halfway during grilling. Transfer medallions to serving platter and allow to rest 3 min. Remove toothpicks; serve medallions with Texas Caviar.
* Be sure to use plain black-eyed peas. Some canned varieties are seasoned.
* Recipe and photo courtesy of National Pork Board. For more recipes visit: www.PorkBeInspired.com