The rains are coming down noisily in our (yeah, we’ve claimed them now) not-so-long-ago tranquil Northern Rivers. There has still been a lot of heat getting about the place, but right now the heavens they are emptying their bladder that’s for sure.
These rains have made me think back to a dinner I cooked up late a few nights ago. That dinner is something that I think I would like to be eating tonight, but the thing is, I already ate it some nights ago and I don’t have the ingredients needed to cook it now. So in lieu of the things I may need to cook past dinner I have a pot of chicken ribollita on the stove as we speak… but that mere technicality is not going to stop me from telling you about my past dinner. The dinner that I want to have tonight. The dinner that haunts my memories and dreams. The dinner that was pork fillet with tomato, lentils and salsa verde.
But please don’t misunderstand me right now, I am a huge fan of ribolitta. It is definitely up there with my top three rainy day meals. Cool? Cool. I just really want that pork fillet again…
On with the story of the past tense dinner that I already ate.
I wont lie to you. When I cooked this meal I had consumed more than 1 alcoholic beverage. Details may be scant and very possibly untrue, but I shall soldier on in the name of freedom and a good story… foodisthebestshitever does that thing it does again.
As I ate that porky goodness I remember it being a lot more tender then I thought it would. It was pork fillet glory! I won’t pretend to remember every single drunken intuitive thing I put in it, but it was good… damn good. Tender, quick, magnificent and porky all in one little package. Aka my dinner. That’s all. I’m pretty sure it went a little something like this…
Pork fillet, lentils, tomato and salsa verde
1 pork fillet, 500g (ish). Cut that into 2-3 manageable pieces
1 brown onion, diced
1 small carrot, diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 anchovy fillets
2 sprigs thyme
1 sprig rosemary
1 400g tin of French lentils
1 400g tin of crushed tomatoes or tomato passata
A splash of white wine
Salsa verde to serve (recipe can be found here)
• Season the pork fillet all over. Cook it in a pan with a splash of oil over a med-high heat. You want to get it nicely coloured but not fully cooked through. 2-3 minutes each side should be good
• Remove pork fillet and leave to rest
• To make the sauce put the pork pan back onto a medium heat. Add a little more oil to the pan and sauté onion, carrot, garlic and anchovies. Once starting to brown and stick a little, deglaze pan with a splash of wine. Add herbs and tomato and cook out on a low heat for 20 minutes, adding a splash or two of water if the sauce starts to get too thick.
• Add lentils and cook out for another five minutes
• Slice the pork fillet into 2cm medallions and add them to the sauce. Simmer for another five or so minutes, stirring regularly and ensuring pork medallions are being turned
• Once pork is done it’s time to serve (feel free to check the pork is done by slicing a couple of pieces open)
• Serve, maybe in an antique bowl, with salsa verde and some kind of bread product
foodisthebestshitever 
22 responses to “Pork fillet with lentils, tomato and salsa verde”
That is so clever with the pork fillet. And the flavors! I’ve got to do this. Heck, I can get a tin of French lentils 😀
Bahaha. I’m sure you can!!
Just delicious with great pictures too. I’m making toulouse sausages with puy lentils tonight…your post has made me think of some salsa verde to go with them:)
Heck yeah. Sounds damn fine my friend!
I want to make a trade. Your pork and lentils for my dumplings…sound good? I can’t find french lentils here…or beluga lentils and I have a recipe in mind for both now. danggit!
Fair trade. I love it!!
I have sourced the lentils (as well as beluga lentils) and I am making this tonight for hubby’s birthday. Plus, he is also getting sticky toffee pudding and a beer tasting event. Am I a good wife or what?
That man will be a happy one for sure! Nice work my friend!
It’s raining like crazy here today too! And I posted a lentil recipe today too! But, mine isn’t 1/2 as good as this with pork fillet and salsa verde! You buy your lentils in a tin? I haven’t seen them available like that here. Love this recipe…your old skool bowl is pretty cool!
Thanks for the old skool bowl respect! We always have dried du puy lentils, chickpeas etc, but we keep a few tins in the cupboard for speedy delivery. Always handy for not ver thought out dinners!!
Shut up this may be the most mouthwatering photo I’ve seen all week
You’re too kind. Come to think of it I did get a rather good response to this post… considering the lack of sobriety I am quite well pleased with myself :). Cheers!
[…] Lentil Stew […]
Oh my i need to cook this. Never attempting pork fillet, never know what to cook with it, but lentils and salsa verde are genious!
Why thank you. It was well tasty!
And a fun bowl to make it even more enjoyable!
Why thank you my friend.
Yum. The lentils look amazing. Everyone’s talking about these lentils, green lentils, Puy, French lentils. I think I need to look into this.
Yes you do. They are awesome. They hold their shape well and taste like yum!!
This looks absolutely fabulous. I really need to try it!
Why thank you. And yes, yes you do :).
[…] fifth but I started too late in the competition to finish it. Hey Grazza…it was based on your Pork filet with lentils, tomatoes, and salsa verde. Anyway, here is a rundown of the four recipes I entered in the competition; click the links below […]