Pork Wellington

Method

Step 1

Season the pork fillets all over. Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan over moderate heat and brown the fillets lightly all over for 2 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool completely. 

Step 2

In the same pan heat the butter and cook the onion and mushrooms for  10-15 minutes over a low heat until soft, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat, stir through the herbs. Season, transfer to a bowl and set aside to cool. 

Step 3

In the same frying pan pan add the spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted. Cool and squeeze any excess water from the spinach and chop finely using kitchen scissors or a sharp knife. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside. 

Step 4

On a clean chopping board, overlap two large squares of cling film. Lay the prosciutto slices onto the cling film in rows, vertically, slightly overlapping. Carefully spread the pâté mixture over the prosciutto.  Position the pork fillets on top horizontally. Spoon the mushroom mixture into the gaps.  

Step 5

Use the cling film as a guide and roll the prosciutto around the fillet mixture into a sausage shape, twisting the ends of cling film to tighten. 

Step 6

Pop in the fridge while you roll out the pastry. 

Step 7

Dust the work surface with a little flour. Roll out a third of the pastry to an 18 x 30cm strip about 2mm thick and place on a non-stick foil or baking parchment lined baking tray. Roll out the remaining pastry to about 28 x 36cm, and 2mm thick.  

Step 8

Carefully unroll the fillets from the cling film and sit it in the centre of the smaller strip of pastry. Brush the pastry’s edges all over with the beaten egg.  

Step 9

Using a rolling pin, lift and position the larger pastry piece over the fillets, pressing well into the sides. Trim the excess pastry, leaving about a 4cm rim. Seal or crimp the pastry edges.  

Step 10

If preferred, decorate the top of the wellington with any excess pastry. Chill for at least 30 mins or up to 24 hrs, if time allows.

Step 11

Heat the oven to 200°C, 180°C fan, Gas Mark 6. Brush the wellington with a little more beaten egg and cook for 35-40 mins until golden – the pork will be just pink in the middle. Allow to stand for 10 mins.  

Step 12

Meanwhile, to make the sauce, in a medium pan heat the cream and stock to a gently to the boil, remove from the heat and add the herbs. Season and stir well. 

Step 13

Carve the wellington into thick slices and serve with the sauce and seasonal vegetables.