Polenta Stuffed Pork Roast Recipes

PORK WITH ROSEMARY POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Combine the mustard, vinegar, chopped rosemary and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a bowl; brush all over the pork. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast until a thermometer registers 145 degrees F, about 15 minutes. Transfer the pork to a cutting board and let rest.
• Wipe out the skillet. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, the garlic and red pepper flakes; cook over medium heat, 2 minutes. Add the broccoli, 1/4 cup water and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover; cook 5 minutes.
• Bring 3 cups water, the milk, rosemary sprig and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat; discard the rosemary. Whisk in the polenta and cook, whisking, until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the parmesan. Slice the pork and serve with the broccoli and polenta.

ROASTED PORK LOIN WITH KALE AND POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Combine the pancetta, fennel pollen and garlic in a small bowl. Cut 18 to 20 slits (2 inches deep) in the pork roast. Alternately fill the slits with the pancetta mixture and a piece of rosemary. Sprinkle the pork liberally with salt and pepper. Heat the EVOO in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook until browned on all sides. Transfer to the oven and roast for 45 minutes. Douse the pork with the wine and roast until a thermometer inserted into the center of the pork registers 165 degrees F, 20 to 30 minutes more. Transfer the pork to a cutting board and let rest for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil for the kale. Bring the stock and milk to a low boil in another pot for the polenta. Cook the kale for 7 to 8 minutes, then remove to a platter using tongs. Drizzle with EVOO and lemon juice and season with salt, pepper and a little nutmeg. Whisk the polenta into the stock mixture and cook, whisking, until thick, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the butter and then the cheese, and remove from the heat. Slice the pork and serve with the polenta and kale. Cook's Note: The roasted pork can be covered and refrigerated for a make-ahead meal. Bring to room temperature, then reheat in a 325 degree F oven, covered, for 15 minutes, adding 1 cup chicken stock to the pot to keep it moist. Uncover and heat for 15 to 20 minutes more. You can prep the kale ahead of time and store it in a paper towel-lined plastic bag in the refrigerator.

SLOW ROASTED ITALIAN PORK WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• PORK
• Rub the pork with 1 Tablespoon salt and pepper, a teaspoon of paprika, and one of the smashed garlic cloves. Place in a plastic zip bag or plastic storage container. Store in the fridge overnight or a for a few hours before cooking.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Using a sharp knife, score fat (but not meat) on pork in a diamond pattern. Pulse herbs and the rest of the garlic in a food processor until combined. Slowly add oil and continue pulsing until a thick paste forms. Stir in 1 Tablespoons salt, 1 Tablespoon pepper; rub mixture all over pork.
• Place the onion slices in a foil lined roasting pan or large Dutch oven. Place pork, fat-side up, on top of the onion halves; add 1 1/2 cups water to bottom of the pan. Drizzle a little bit of olive oil (about 1 Tablespoon) on top of the pork. Cover with foil or lid (if in a Dutch oven) and roast until meat is starting to become tender, about 3 hours. Remove foil or lid and continue cooking until meat is fork-tender, 1 to 1 1/2 hours more. Cook 30 minutes per pound total, or until the internal temperature as measured with a meat thermoter is 160 F. Remove pork from the oven and allow to rest 15 minutes before pulling apart or cutting.
• Carefully transfer pork to a large bowl, leaving juices in pan. When cool enough to handle, use two forks to shred meat into bite-size pieces, discarding any large pieces of fat. Transfer shredded pork back to pot and toss with juices. If you prefer to serve in larger pieces as we did, transfer to a cutting board and slice your pork into desired thickness.

FONTINA AND PROSCIUTTO STUFFED PORK CHOPS WITH GRILLED POLENTA SQUARES AND ROASTED CALIFORNIA GRAPES

Steps:

• Prepare the pork chops. Make a brine by combining the water, sugar, salt, thyme sprigs, clove and all-spice berries in a re-sealable bag. Add the pork chops, seal up the bag and put in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Drain the pork chops and pat dry. Using a paring knife, make a horizontal cut into the center of each chop to make a pocket. Stuff a slice of fontina and prosciutto inside each pocket and secure with a toothpick. Set 2 large cast iron skillets over medium-high heat and add a 2-count of extra-virgin olive oil to each skillet. Add 2 chops to each of the skillets and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until golden. Turn chops, push to 1 side and set grape clusters in pan. Drizzle with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper before putting the pans in the oven. Roast chops for 5 to 7 minutes until cooked through and cheese has melted. Remove from oven when done and set chops and clusters of roasted grapes aside on a plate - keep warm.
• Consolidate juices into 1 pan and set over medium heat. Add a splash of chicken stock to the pan, scraping the bottom to extract all the flavors. Fold in cold butter while whisking to thicken sauce. Season with salt and pepper. To serve, set 1 pork chop on each plate on top of a Grilled Polenta Square, garnish with a cluster of roasted grapes and drizzle with pan sauce. Set a stack of hydroponic watercress to 1 side and serve.
• Grilled Polenta Squares:
• Bring water and salt to a boil in a large saucepan. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal in a slow steady stream. Lower heat and continue to whisk until the polenta is thick and smooth, about 20 minutes. Add the cream and butter and continue to stir until incorporated. Remove from heat; fold in Parmesan and black pepper. Pour the polenta into a buttered 9 by 13-inch shallow baking dish and spread evenly with a spatula. Cover and chill a few hours. Cut the polenta into squares. Brush both sides with olive oil and transfer to a hot grill. Grill on both sides until golden brown.;

STUFFED PORK ROAST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Brown sausage in a saute pan. Add apples and shallots and cook 3 minutes. Transfer to a mixing bowl, add walnuts and parsley, and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Let cool before stuffing.
• Split the pork roast horizontally, forming a pocket; do not cut all the way through. Season roast inside and out with salt and pepper. Pack stuffing in the center and tie roast with enough butcher's twine to hold it together.
• Heat oil in a large saute pan. Add roast and sear on all sides until well-browned. Transfer to a rack set in a roasting pan and roast until a thermometer inserted in the center registers 145 to 150 degrees F, about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• Remove roast to a carving board, cover loosely with foil, and let rest 10 minutes before slicing. Slice roast into 12 pieces. Serve 2 slices per serving, garnished with parsley.

STUFFED PORK CHOPS WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES AND SOFT POLENTA

Steps:

• For the polenta: Bring the milk and 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Season generously with salt. Slowly whisk in the polenta; when all of the polenta has been incorporated, reduce the heat to medium and immediately switch to stirring with a wooden spoon. Cook, stirring frequently, until the polenta begins to pull away from the pan; add water if it becomes too thick.
• When the polenta is thoroughly cooked, it will look creamy and not feel gritty on your tongue. Remove the polenta from the heat and stir in the Parmesan, mascarpone and sage. Cover and keep warm.
• For the roasted vegetables: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.
• Combine the Brussels sprouts and cauliflower florets in a large bowl. Add the olive oil and some crushed red pepper salt; stir to coat. Pour the vegetables onto the prepared baking sheet and spread in a single layer. Roast until tender and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through. Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with pomegranate seeds.
• For the stuffed pork chops: Adjust the oven to 375 degrees F. Add the bacon to a skillet and cook over medium-high heat until almost crispy. Add the onions and sweat for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the apples and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. Carefully add the calvados (it may flame) and cook until almost dry. Add the rosemary, raisins and salt to taste. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, along with the breadcrumbs and the beaten egg; stir to combine.
• Sprinkle the pork chops with salt. Insert a paring knife into the curved side of each chop to make a deep pocket, about 2 inches wide. Stuff the pockets with the breadcrumb mixture.
• Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat and coat the pan with olive oil. Sear the pork chops until golden brown on all sides. Remove the chops to a baking sheet and place in the oven for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add sherry vinegar and maple syrup to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer until reduced by half. (Keep an eye on the saucepan, as the mixture can burn quickly.)
• After 15 minutes in the oven, baste the chops all over with the maple-vinegar reduction. Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.

ROASTED PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• Trim the tenderloin, pat dry and place on a large plate.
• Rub the pork tenderloins with the olive oil then season with salt and pepper. In a small bowl mix together the thyme, mustard and brown sugar and rub the mixture evenly over the tenderloins. Let this sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Place an oven-safe skillet (like cast iron) over medium-high heat. When the skillet gets hot, add the olive oil and brown the tenderloins well on all sides. When they are nicely browned, add the warm stock and gently scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze.
• Transfer the skillet to the middle rack of the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Insert a meat thermometer in the thickest portion of the tenderloin, and when it registers 155°F, it is ready. Remove the meat from the oven, cover loosely with foil, and let stand for 10 minutes (it will continue cooking while resting). When you are ready to serve, slice it on an angle and spoon some of its juices over it.
• Preheat the oven to 325°F.
• Bring 4½ cups water to a simmer in a large ovenproof saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the butter and the salt and whisk until the butter is melted. Gradually stir in the polenta--do not add it all at once or you will end up with clumps. Whisk the mixture constantly until the polenta comes to a boil.
• Cover the pot with a lid, and transfer it to the lower rack in the oven. Bake until the polenta is tender, about 25-30 minutes. Remove the polenta from oven.
• Meanwhile, carefully uncover the saucepan and whisk the polenta vigorously, scraping bottom of pan to keep any from burning. At that point the polenta should be smooth. Slowly add the Parmesan cheese, whisking constantly until the cheese is melted and the polenta is smooth and thick. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Cover until ready to serve. If necessary, reheat over low heat when ready to serve.
• Divide the polenta among warmed bowls and top with more Parmesan. Serve at once.

BAKED STUFFED POLENTA (POLENTA AL FORNO)

Steps:

• In a lrg saucepan, bring chicken stock to a boil & gradually whisk in the polenta. Reduce heat to simmer & cook 15 min or till very thick (while continuing to stir).
• Remove pan from heat & stir in butter, 1st measure of Parmesan cheese + parsley.
• Allow to cool slightly. Then press polenta mixture into an oiled 8 x 12-in lamington pan (See notes). Cool to rm temp & refrigerate several hrs (or overnite) till firm.
• Turn polenta out of pan, slice horizontally in half, return bottom half to pan & set top half aside.
• Evenly distribute sliced salami over the half in the pan, overlapping as necessary. Then evenly distribute the chopped tomatoes & black olives over the salami slices.
• Combine Mozzarella cheese, 2nd measure of Parmesan cheese & fresh basil. Spread half of this mixture over the layered salami, tomatoes & black olives.
• Gentle place top half of polenta over the layered ingredients & sprinkle it w/the 2nd half of the cheese & basil mixture.
• Bake in a hot oven (400°F) about 30 min or till heated thru. The top should be lightly browned & crisp, so place under broiler as needed. Allow to cool slightly & serve immediately.
• NOTES RE PAN SIZE: I do not have a lamington pan or a pan 8 x 12-in size. If made in one, the dish would be cut into 6 4x4-in square servings. I do have a 10-in rd glass baking dish that would be equal in size to the pan suggested. In this event, the dish would be cut in 6 wedge-shaped servings.
• 2nd STUFFING OPTION: As an 2nd option if you prefer, use thinly sliced prosciutto as a sub for the salami & keep all else the same.

BUTTER-BASTED PORK LOIN WITH STUFFING CRUST & CHEESY POLENTA

Steps:

• First, make the stuffing crust, as this will keep. Heat oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 1. Place the slices of bread on a baking sheet, drizzle with the rapeseed oil and dust with the cayenne pepper. Bake in the oven until the bread is completely dry and browned just a little - this will take about 20 mins. Remove from the oven and rub with the garlic cloves while still warm. Use a whole clove on each slice, or half if you have small slices. Leave the toasted slices to cool, then put them in a food processor and blitz to rough but not too big breadcrumbs. Empty the crumbs into a mixing bowl and add the dried sage and onion, the parsley and a good pinch of sea salt. Mix together, then set aside in an airtight container. Can be made up to 2 days ahead without the parsley (see tip, below left).
• Turn down the oven to 120C/100C fan/ gas ½. Score the layer of fat on the pork with a sharp knife, working diagonally along the length, then score again in the opposite direction. Tie the loin with butcher's string to help keep its shape and cook evenly. Heat the rapeseed oil in an ovenproof frying pan and add the pork, fat-side down. Sear and brown the top layer of fat, then turn the pork over and throw in the butter, garlic, rosemary, thyme, pepper and 2 tsp table salt. Once the butter has melted, add the lemon zest and juice to create a fragrant cooking liquor. Roll the pork around in the buttery juices and baste so that it is well coated.
• Place the pan with the pork in the oven and set your timer for 1 hr 15 mins. Baste the meat with the buttery juices every 15 mins. At the end of the cooking time, test the thickest part of the pork with a digital thermometer - it should read 70C when ready. If the meat hasn't reached the temperature, return it to the oven for 5 mins, then check again. Once the pork is cooked, remove from the oven and leave to rest for 10 mins. If you don't have a digital thermometer, cook the pork for 1 hr 20 mins.
• While the pork is resting, pour the milk for the polenta into a saucepan and bring to the boil. Whisk in the polenta and cook over a medium heat until thickened, following pack instructions - it needs to be the texture of creamy mash. If your polenta is too thick, add a little more milk to loosen it. When it is ready, remove from the heat and whisk in the butter, Parmesan, lemon zest, truffle oil, fresh truffle (if using), salt and the cayenne to taste. Pour into a serving bowl and sprinkle over the chives.
• Untie the rested pork loin and give it a final baste with the cooking liquor. Tip the crust into a roasting tin, then roll the pork loin in it, making sure it gets a good covering. Thickly slice the pork and serve with the soft polenta, Romanesco or broccoli sprinkled with toasted hazelnuts, and the buttery juices.