Slow Cooked Pork Tenderloin Stew

Ingredients:

1 package pork tenderloins (pkg of 2) about 2 pounds total – remove silver skin and excess fat from tenderloins; then cut into 2 inch pieces
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
2 large carrots, cut into ½ inch slices
2 celery ribs, coarsely chopped
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
3 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/3 cup pitted dried plums, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
1 fresh rosemary sprig
1 fresh thyme sprig
1/3 cup Greek olives (optional)
Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Hot cooked mashed potatoes (optional)

Directions:
After removing silver skin and excess fat, sprinkle the tenderloin pieces with salt and pepper; transfer to a 4 quart (minimum size) slow cooker.  Add the carrots, celery and onion.
In a small bowl, whisk broth and tomato paste; pour over vegetables.  Add plums, garlic, bay leaves, rosemary, thyme and, if desired, olives.
Cook, covered, on low 5-6 hours or until meat and vegetables are tender.
Discard bay leaves, rosemary and thyme.  If desired, sprinkle stew with parsley and serve with potatoes.
Serves 8
Prep time 15 to 20 minutes
Cook on low 5 hours