We cooked this just before we went on holidays and were determined not to buy any ingredients that needed used up. We have a huge sage bush in the garden that we definitely under-utilize and there are always bottles of all sorts of beverages lurking in the back of our cupboards. Madeira lasts forever, even when opened which is very useful.
Wine Suggestion: The madeira sauce with the sage is richer than you may expect and we find it works with juicy Côtes du Rhône reds, especially with a good dollop of Grenache. We had an uncomplicated Reserve des Armoiries which was juicy and had hints of Southern French spices made without oak; complimentary and almost celebratory of our impending holiday with its joyful fruit.
Pork tenderloin with madeira and sage – serves 4
- butter
- 1 pork tenderloin c. 400g
- 100ml madeira
- a small bunch of sage, leaves picked and chopped
Heat the oven to 220C/Fan 200C/Gas 7.
Heat a knob of butter and a splash of olive oil in an ovenproof frying pan. Season the pork and brown really well on all sides to form a crust. Add the madeira then transfer to the oven and cook for 15-20 minutes.
Remove the meat from the pan, cover with foil and leave aside to rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, reduce the pan juices with another knob of butter on a low heat, and season.
To serve, cut the pork into thick slices, then dress with the pan juices and lots of chopped sage.
(Original recipe by Alex Szrok in BBC Olive Magazine, May 2016.)
Jono & Jules do food & wine 
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