Roast Leg of Pork with Fresh Herbs and Fennel Seeds
- 3 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons fennel seeds
- 2 tablespoons chopped basil
- 2 tablespoons chopped thyme
- 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
- 2 tablespoons coarsely ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped sage
- 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- One 18- to 20-pound whole leg of pork with skin, partially boned, fat trimmed to 1/3 inch
- In a mini food processor, combine the salt, fennel seeds, basil, thyme, garlic, pepper, sage, rosemary and coriander.
- Process to a paste.
- Spread one third of the herb paste in the pocket where the hip and leg bones were.
- Using cotton twine, tie the roast in 5 places to give it a neat shape.
- With a sharp knife, make 3 dozen slits through the skin and fat all over the top of the roast.
- Rub the remaining herb paste all over the surface of the roast and into the slits.
- Refrigerate the roast overnight.
- Remove the meat from the refrigerator 2 hours before roasting.
- Preheat the oven to 450.
- Put the meat on a rack set in a large roasting pan and roast in the lower third of the oven for 20 minutes.
- Turn the pan around.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 325 and roast the meat for 3 1/2 hours longer, turning the pan again after 1 1/2 hours.
- Turn the pan one last time and roast the meat for 15 minutes longer, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 145.
- If the skin isn't crisp, turn the heat up to 400 for the last 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, cover loosely with foil and let rest for 30 to 45 minutes; the final temperature will be 150 to 155.
- Carve the roast and serve with the degreased pan juices.
kosher salt, fennel seeds, basil, thyme, garlic, ground pepper, sage, rosemary, ground coriander, pork
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/roast-leg-of-pork-with-fresh-herbs-and-fennel-seeds (may not work)