This was a magic little find, I love Maple, I love Bacon and I love them together. The Sweet Beet Company are based in North East of England but the owner Lizzy grew up in Texas and Aberdeen too, which is where her inspiration has come from, you can read her story here Lizzys story.  Their flavours are unique and scrumptious, I have the oak smoked apple butter to try too (can’t wait for that one).

I made their tenderloin recipe and oh WOW!…that’s all I can say….delicious…delicious!

Makes for 4

Olive oil

4 smoked bacon slices – chopped

4 finely chopped shallots

1 tsp minced garlic

1/2 jar of maple bacon jam

500ml beef stock

200g baby spinach – finely chopped

800g Beef Fillet

125ml pinot noir red wine

2 tsp dried thyme

2 tbsp butter

Salt & pepper to taste

1. Heat a large fry pan with the oil on medium heat, add the bacon, shallots and garlic, cook for about 4 mins.
2. Add 250ml of the beef stock until it evaporates, about 5 mins then add in the spinach and cook until it wilts.
3. Remove and add to a bowl, then add in the maple bacon jam and mix together, set aside.
4. Preheat oven to 175 deg
5. Cut beef fillet horizontally but not right through, open up like a butterfly effect, cover with cling film and pound meat with a mallet or rolling pin until about 1/2 inch thickness. Brush beef with a little olive oil and season with salt & pepper.
6. Spread the spinach mixture evenly over the beef leaving about 1/2 inch around edges. Roll up like a swiss roll and tie at 2 inch intervals with twine. Brush outside of beef roll with a little oil.
7. Place beef into a baking tin and bake for about 20-30 minutes. Then increase the oven temperature to 230 deg and cook for about 15-20 mins. Remove and allow to rest. Slice and serve. Oh so delicious!
8. For the gravy, Combine remaining 250ml beef stock, red wine and thyme and bring to the boil. Cook until reduced (about 10-15 mins). If too thin add in some flour to thicken or cornflour. Remove from heat, add butter, gently season and mix through. Ready to serve.