Stuffed Pork Loin: A Culinary Adventure on My Kamado Grill

Welcome back, BBQ enthusiasts! Luis here, diving into another grilling escapade. This time, it's all about mastering the art of a stuffed pork loin on my Kamado grill, accompanied by the warm ambiance of our newly lit garden.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole pork loin(approximately 2-3 pounds)
• 2 cups fresh spinach, finely chopped
• 1 cup mixed mushrooms (white and crimini), finely chopped
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Your choice of herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano)
• Olive oil for cooking
• Kitchen twine for tying

Directions:

1. Preparation:

• Begin by preheating your Kamado grill to a steady 300°F, setting it up for indirect heat.
• Butterfly the pork loin: Make a lengthwise cut down the center of the loin, being careful not to cut all the way through. Open it up to lay flat, creating an even, inch-thick layer. As my tenderloin was on the bigger side, I chose to butterfly the tenderloin thirds, rather than half it. This gave me more room to include more stuffing.

2. Seasoning:

• Season the inside of the butterflied loin with salt, pepper, and your chosen herbs.

3. Making the Stuffing:

• In a pan, sauté spinach, mushrooms, garlic and onions with a bit of olive oil until they are soft and fragrant.
• To add the cheese, I recommend you to let the mixture cool, then mix in the shredded mozzarella cheese. I added it while cooking the stuffing and it regretted it the moment the cheese touched the mixture.

4. Stuffing the loin:

• Spread the stuffing evenly over the seasoned tenderloin.
• Carefully roll the tenderloin, ensuring the stuffing stays inside, and tie it with kitchen twine at intervals to secure.

5. Grilling:

• Place the stuffed pork loin on the grill away from direct heat.
• Grill for approximately 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure it's fully cooked.

6. Resting and Serving:

• Once done, remove the loin from the grill and let it rest for 10 minutes.
• Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Stuffed Pork Loin:

• Butterflying the loin: Use a sharp knife and take your time. The goal is to create a flat, even surface for easy stuffing and rolling.
• Choosing Stuffing Ingredients: While I used spinach, mushrooms, and cheese, feel free to experiment with ingredients like smoked bacon, cream cheese, or different herbs to add layers of flavor.
• Securing the Roll: When tying the tenderloin with twine, make sure it’s snug but not too tight. This helps keep the stuffing in place during the cook. Trussing was a first for me. Here's a tip: Don't sweat perfection. Use regular kitchen twine, start at one end, and tie at intervals to hold the stuffing in. It's all about keeping everything snug.
• Monitoring Temperature: It’s crucial not to overcook the pork. Aim for an internal temp of 145°F. Letting it rest post-grill ensures a juicy, tender result.
• Kamado Grill Advantages: The Kamado’s ability to maintain consistent, indirect heat makes it ideal for a slow roast, providing that smoked flavor without drying out the meat.

Lighting Up the Garden:

The addition of Xmcosy lights to our garden has made a significant difference. These lights can be controlled through an app and not only enhance the beauty of the garden but also create a great atmosphere for evening BBQs. Being able to adjust the settings using my phone adds convenience to our outdoor gatherings.

I purchased some indirect lights for our garden and after doing some research, I decided to go with the Xmcosy lights. I appreciated that they were easy to install and could be controlled using an app or through Alexa (my chosen virtual assistant). I purchased 4 units initially to test them out and was impressed with how well they illuminated the garden.

After seeing the results, I immediately ordered 4 more lights to complete the indirect lighting and also purchased some wall lights to replace the reflectors that were ruining the effect of the indirect lighting.

Recommended Products:

1. Kamado Joe Grill: Perfect for maintaining a consistent temperature.
2. Meater Plus Thermometer: Helps in ensuring your meat is cooked perfectly.
3. XMCOSY Garden Lights: These have been a game-changer in our garden. Easy to install, they offer app control for scheduling and can even sync with Alexa or Google Home.

Conclusion:

This culinary journey with the stuffed pork loin has been both challenging and rewarding. The blend of juicy pork, rich cheese, and earthy mushrooms, all infused with the subtle smokiness from the Kamado grill, made for an unforgettable meal. Paired with the enchanting glow of our garden, it was an evening to remember.

Until our next culinary adventure, keep those fires burning and embrace the joy of grilling!