Have you ever thought that you left something unsorted from a distant memory? When we think back, perhaps we missed a detail. Recipes are like that, too. Good recipes always test for better results. It is like revisiting a favorite painting. With each viewing, something new is discovered with keen observation. Johannes Vermeer’s famous painting “Girl with a Pearl Earring” can serve as an example of that. This Dutch masterpiece features a beautiful young woman whose expression makes us wonder about her life. With each consideration more interpretations are gathered. I call it variations on a theme. Dutch oven cooking allows for endless variations on themes for main courses. One of my favorite Dutch oven dishes is Smothered Pork Filets. The Dutch oven cooks tender proteins and the Dutch oven can create distinct home-cooked masterpieces designed for family and friends.
Smothered Pork Filets
Marinate the pork filets in a mixture red vermouth and mango chutney for at least 1 hour.
Slice and sauté, in olive oil, 2 large onions in a skillet on the stove.
In a Dutch oven, place the sautéed onions first. Set the marinated pork on top. Smother the filets with a 20 oz. can of crushed pineapple. Pour 2 beers into the Dutch oven. Put the lid on the Dutch oven and bake at 400° F for about 2 hours depending on the thickness of the pork. Cook the pork thoroughly. It is delicious! Kelly McBride Loft ©