Sicilian Grilled Pork Loin With Agrodolce Grilled Peaches Recipes

SICILIAN GRILLED PORK LOIN WITH AGRODOLCE GRILLED PEACHES

Steps:

• Tie the loin with kitchen twine at 1-inch intervals and add to the Honey-Rosemary Brine in a large container. Brine the pork loin in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours. Remove from the brine, rinse under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour before grilling.
• Prepare the charcoal in a chimney starter (allowing the charcoal to burn until all the charcoal is covered with a thin layer of gray ash) and add to the grill, creating a two-level fire by spreading the coals out over half the grill bottom, piling them up in a mound 3 briquettes high, leaving the other half with no coals. Spread the soaked wood chips evenly over the top and the rosemary sprigs or sage leaves, if desired. Put the cooking grate in place and open the grill lid vents halfway. Let the grate heat for 5 minutes. Use a grill brush to scrape the cooking grate clean.
• Brush the entire loin with the olive oil and sprinkle with pepper. Place the pork on the opposite side of the coals but close to the fire. Cover with the lid and turn the lid so that the vents are opposite the fire to draw smoke through the grill. Use a grill thermometer and make sure the heat inside the grill is at 400 degrees F.
• Grill the pork, covered, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the pork registers about 135 degrees F. This will take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes, depending the thickness of the loin.
• Transfer the loin to a cutting board, tent loosely with foil and let rest 15 minutes before cutting into thick slices. Serve with the Agrodolce Grilled Peaches and drizzle some of the reduced peach glaze over the meat.
• Bring 6 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the broth, salt, honey, sugar, peppercorns, rosemary and garlic, stirring to dissolve the salt. Remove from the heat and add the ice cubes to cool quickly to room temperature.
• Bring the vinegar, honey, nectar and some salt and pepper to a simmer in a large high-sided saute pan over medium heat. Cook until the liquid is reduced to a syrupy consistency, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Brush the cut side of the peaches with the canola oil, season with salt and pepper and place cut-side down on the grill over medium-high heat. Grill until lightly golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip, cook 1 to 2 minutes then brush with the glaze and cook another minute or so. The peaches should be tender but hold their shape. Transfer the peaches to a platter and drizzle with some of the glaze.

SICILIAN PORK WITH SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Brush the pork with 1 tablespoon olive oil; season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons parsley and the fennel seeds, pressing to adhere.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook, turning, until browned on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes. Scatter the garlic, tomatoes, raisins and pine nuts around the pork. Cook, stirring, until the tomatoes are slightly softened, about 1 minute. Add the broth and bring to a simmer. Sprinkle the cheese over the pork, then transfer the skillet to the oven. Roast until a thermometer inserted into the center of the pork registers 145 degrees F, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove to a cutting board and let rest; reserve the tomato mixture in the pan.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Drain, then add to the tomato mixture along with the remaining 6 tablespoons parsley; season with salt and toss. Top with cheese. Slice the pork and serve with the pasta.

GRILLED PORK AND PEACHES

Steps:

• Light a fire in a fire pit with a grill, or in a charcoal grill, or set a gas grill to high. If you have a very strong vent in your kitchen, you may use your stove with a burner set to high. Place a large cast-iron pan or two-burner griddle over the heat and allow it to get hot. At this point you can let the fire die slightly with no ill effect. If using a gas grill or stove, turn heat to medium.
• Meanwhile, put the pork on a work surface and, using a meat mallet, pound to an even thickness of approximately 3/4 of an inch.
• Combine the garlic, rosemary and 6 tablespoons olive oil in a small bowl, mixing to make a rough paste. Season the pork aggressively on both sides with salt and pepper, then spread half the garlic mixture over one side and half on the other side.
• Brush the pan or griddle with the remaining olive oil, allow it to heat until it shimmers and is almost smoking, then place meat on the hot surface and cook, without touching, until it forms a good crust, approximately 10 minutes.
• While the meat cooks, surround it with the peaches, cut side down, and dot the fruit with the butter. (If you're using two cast-iron skillets, place the peaches in their own oiled pan.) Let them cook for approximately 5 minutes, or until they are soft and slightly charred. Transfer to a platter and tent with foil to keep warm.
• When the meat is well browned on the first side, use tongs to turn it over, and cook in the remaining butter for another 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the meat to a carving board and allow it to rest below a tent of foil for approximately 5 minutes. Slice the meat and serve with the peaches.