Roast Pork with Prunes and Apricots
- 12 prunes
- 12 dried apricots
- 1 cup port, dry red wine, or water
- One 2- to 3-pound piece boneless pork loin, cut from the rib (shoulder) end
- Salt and black pepper
- 1 tablespoon peeled and minced fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, optional
- Preheat the oven to 450F.
- Combine the prunes, apricots, and liquid in a small saucepan and turn the heat to medium.
- Simmer gently until tender, about 10 minutes (longer if the fruit was very dry to begin with).
- Cut the roast open lengthwise, leaving a bit of a hinge along one side, and sprinkle it with salt and pepper.
- Drain the fruit and layer it on the meat with the ginger.
- Close the meat and tie or skewer it to something approaching its original shape.
- Mix together a large pinch of salt, some pepper, the sugar, and the cayenne and rub the roast all over with this mixture.
- Place in a roasting pan and put in the oven.
- Roast, undisturbed, for about 15 minutes.
- Pour about 1/2 cup of the white wine or stock over the roast and lower the heat to 350F.
- Continue to roast, adding about 1/4 cup wine every 15 minutes or so to keep the bottom of the pan moist, for about 45 minutes.
- Check the roast; an instant-read thermometer will register 145F when its done (and it may take up to 1 1/2 hours).
- Transfer the meat to a warm platter and put the pan on the stove over medium-high heat.
- If necessary, reduce the liquid to about 3/4 cup, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to release any brown bits.
- (If the pan is dry, add more white wine.)
- When the sauce is reduced, stir in the cream, if youre using it, and cook for another minute or two.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning, then carve the meat and serve it with the sauce.
- Much faster and easier.
- Cut the meat into cubes and brown them over medium-high heat in 2 tablespoons butter or extra virgin olive oil.
- Add 1 cup white wine or stock, the fruits (dont bother to soak first), salt, pepper, ginger, sugar, and cayenne.
- Cover and adjust the heat so the mixture simmers steadily.
- Cook until the pork is tender, about 30 minutes; reduce the liquid a bit, then add the cream if you like.
prunes, apricots, port, pork loin, salt, fresh ginger, sugar, cayenne, white wine, heavy cream
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/roast-pork-with-prunes-and-apricots-386326 (may not work)