I made this Autumn inspired stew from butternut squash grown in our garden. A nice change from beef stew.

Ingredients:

• 1 pork tenderloin (about 1 lb), cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4-5 slices bacon, sliced across about 1/4 inch width
• 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed (about 3 cups)
• 1 small can beans (northern, cannellini or navy)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp Tuscan seasoning salt (homemade)
• Additional salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

1. Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add diced bacon and cook until crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot.
2. season pork with salt & pepper.
3. In the bacon fat, brown the pork cubes in batches, about 2 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
4. Add onion to the pot and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Add tomato paste and brown slightly.
5. Deglaze the pot with a splash of chicken broth, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom.
6. Return the pork to the pot. Add the butternut squash, beans, remaining chicken broth, thyme, rosemary, seasoning salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
7. Close the lid and set to Manual/Pressure Cook on High for 8 minutes. The short cook time will help keep the tenderloin moist.
8. When the cooking time is up, allow for a 5-minute natural release, then carefully do a quick release for any remaining pressure.
9. Open the lid. If the stew is too thin, you can thicken it:
   • Mix 2 tbsp cornstarch with some of the broth.
   • Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode.
   • Stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
10. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
11. Serve with crispy bacon on top.

Serve hot, perhaps with some crusty bread on the side. The quick cooking time in the Instant Pot should help keep your pork tenderloin moist and tender while allowing the butternut squash to become soft and flavourful.