You read that right. Now go try and look this one up on the web. Seriously, I'll wait. See, you couldn't find it because my cousin Jason and I got the idea for this recipe from the head chef of Air Force One during Reagan's presidency. Yes, this meal was served to President Ronald Reagan. By boiling the pepperoni (what we call purifying) you are taking out all that chewy
fat. You are left with a very concentrated pepperoni essence without the usual texture. You can stuff the pepperoni into chicken, pork chops or even make a sauce with it, but if you'd like to enjoy it like our 40th president did you stuff it into a whole beef tenderloin.
Ingredients
1 Whole Beef Tenderloin, trimmed
2 shallots, diced
2 sticks of pepperoni
1 c flat leaf parsley, chopped
4 garlic cloves, diced
Directions
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cut your pepperoni into 3 inch long sections, then slice them down the entire length, about halfway through the stick. This will help allow the fat to melt out of the pepperoni. Now boil the pepperoni for 20 - 25 min. Using a slotted spoon remove the pepperoni and allow to cool on paper towels. Then place the pepperoni sticks into a food processor and blend. The end should be crumbed pepperoni essence. While the pepperoni is boiling bring a sauté pan to medium heat. Add a little EVOO and cook the shallots and garlic for 1 - 2 minutes (very quick, do not overcook). Immediately remove from heat and cool. Once cooled combine pepperoni essence to the shallots and garlic and finally add parsley.
To stuff, make an incision in your tenderloin starting about 1" from the end. Go
in approx 2⁄3 of the way through and slice down the length of the tenderloin until
approx 1" from the other end. Pack your pepperoni mixture into the cavity you
created, then close the beef up and tie with butchers twine.
To cook, you will need to set up your grill for indirect heat. Pile your coals to one side and get them nice and hot. Then sear each side of the tenderloin directly over the coals for approx 2 min a side. Once seared move the beef to the indirect portion of the grill, close the lid and roast for approx 25 min. Use a thermometer to check the middle of the beef for doneness. Serve and enjoy while listening to The Battle Hymn of the Republic (Reagan's favorite Hymn).
