Cuban Roast Pork
6# pork loin roast
¼ tsp. pepper
2 garlic buds
4 TBS oregano
1 tsp. salt
2/3 cup fresh lime juice
Put slivers in slits in roast. Combine s & p and oregano, rub meat. Place fat side up on rack in 450-degree oven and cook uncovered 30-35 minutes per pound. Cook to 185 degrees. When pork begins to brown baste frequently with limejuice.
Garlic Roasted Pork Loin w/Raspberry Chipotle Glaze
Raspberry Chipotle Glaze:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup small diced onion
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons chipotle chiles in adobo, chopped
2 pints fresh raspberries, rinsed
1/2 cup raspberry vinegar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Garlic Roasted Pork Loin:
2 1/2 to 3 1/2 pound boned pork loin
8 large cloves garlic, peeled and sliced in half lengthwise
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
Olive oil
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 bunch watercress, rinsed and patted dry, tough stems discarded
For the Glaze: In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until soft and slightly caramelized, 4 minutes. Add the garlic to the pan and sauté for 1 minute. Add the chipotles and cook, stirring continuously, for 1 minute. Add the raspberries and cook until soft, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the vinegar and stir to deglaze the pan. Add the sugar and salt, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until thickened and reduced by half, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and strain through a fine mesh strainer, pressing on the solids with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible.
For the Pork Loin: Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
Place a large roasting pan over 2 burners over medium-high heat. Add oil to coat the bottom and heat. Season the pork loin with salt and pepper. Place the loin in the roasting pan and sear on all sides until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
In a food processor, combine the garlic, rosemary, sage, and thyme. Process until smooth. Add enough oil to make the mixture a good, spreadable consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
Remove the pork from the heat. Carefully rub the garlic/herb mixture over the pork loin.
Roast until an instant read thermometer inserted into the center of the roast registers an internal temperature of 140 degrees F, 40 to 45 minutes. Five minutes before removing the roast from the oven, evenly spread the glaze over the top. Remove from the oven and tent with aluminum foil to keep warm. Let rest for 10 to 15 minutes before carving. Line a large bowl or platter with watercress. Arrange the wild rice dressing on top and serve. Slice the pork loin and place on top of the rice dressing. Drizzle with leftover glaze.
NOTES – I think you and I feel the same way about pork so I don’t cook the loin for the full 40-45 minutes in the oven – I like mine pink in the center “after” it has had time to rest. This glaze is REALLY good over salmon and chicken. And don’t forget when doing salmon or chicken to still make the garlic/rosemary/sage/thyme mixture to put on it.