Sicilian Pork Recipes

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.

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 CHOPS

Steps:

• Oil bottom of baking dish. Preheat oven to 350°.
• Mix bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
• Add juice of lemons to melted butter.
• Dip pork chops in beaten eggs and then into seasoned bread crumbs to coat evenly.
• Lay them in the dish. Bake for 30 minutes and baste occasionally with melted butter and lemon juice mixture .
• Turn pork chops and continue basting for 30 more minutes.
• Serve with Italian bread and salad.

SICILIAN PORK

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the meat until browned.
• Add the mushrooms and red pepper and cook for a further 1-2 minutes.
• Stir in the wine, stock, basil and garlic granules. Simmer gently, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Add the cream and cornstarch paste and stir until thickened.