Tuscan Pork With Fennel And Grapes Recipes

TUSCAN ROAST PORK

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 225°F (110°C) and position a rack in the center of the oven.
• Meanwhile, in the bowl of a small food processor, combine the garlic, rosemary, sage, anchovy (if using), and 3 tablespoons oil and process until a coarse paste forms. (Alternatively, you can use a mortar and pestle.)
• If desired, use kitchen string to tie the pork tightly crosswise about every 2 inches (5 cm). You can slip the bay leaves under the twine if you like. If you do not tie your pork, but wish to use bay leaves, simply carve a couple slits in the pork and tuck the bay leaves into the slits.
• Season the pork on all sides with the salt, rubbing the meat to coat it.
• In a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil until shimmering. Add the pork and sear, starting with the fatty side and using tongs to turn it, until dark golden brown on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes total. Turn off the heat and let the pork in the skillet.
• Using an offset spatula or pastry brush, coat the pork with the herb mixture. If you're the sort who likes the punch of raw garlic, reserve 1 tablespoon of the herb mixture to coat the pork after it comes out of the oven.
• Transfer the skillet to the center rack in the oven and roast until the meat is tender and the internal temperature is around 180°F (82°C), 2 to 3 hours. (Rest assured, if you just got alarmed at those numbers, that although this is a much higher internal temperature than we typically cook pork, it works.)
• Remove the skillet from the oven. If desired, brush the top and sides of the pork with the reserved 1 tablespoon herb mixture. Let the pork cool for at least 5 minutes.
• Transfer the pork to a cutting board, reserving the cooking juices in the skillet. Remove and discard the string and bay leaves, if using.
• Slice the pork very thinly (about 1/8 inch | 4 mm thickness) and arrange the slices on a serving platter. Drizzle with the juices and herbs from the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature.

FENNEL-RUBBED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH ROASTED FENNEL WEDGES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
• Crush fennel seeds with a mortar and pestle or wrap in a kitchen towel and crush with bottom of a heavy skillet.
• Pat pork dry, then sprinkle with crushed fennel seeds and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Cut fennel bulbs lengthwise into 1/2-inch wedges.
• Heat oil in a 12-inch oven-proof heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Brown pork on all sides, about 6 minutes total, then transfer to a plate. Sauté garlic and fennel wedges in skillet until fennel is golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add wine, stirring and scraping up brown bits, then stir in broth and butter. Put pork on top of fennel and transfer skillet to oven. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into center of pork registers 145 to 150°F, about 15 minutes. Transfer pork to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, transfer skillet to stovetop (handle will be hot) and boil, stirring occasionally, until most of liquid has evaporated. Stir in lemon juice and 1/4 cup chopped fennel fronds. Thinly slice pork and serve over fennel with sauce.