Tuscan Pork With Fennel And Grapes Recipes

TUSCAN ROAST PORK WITH FENNEL

Steps:

• Toss the garlic, chopped rosemary, 1 tablespoon salt and the red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Make 3/4-inch-deep cuts between the rib bones of the pork. Stuff some of the garlic mixture into each cut. Rub the lemon halves over the pork, then rub with the remaining garlic mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• Bring the pork to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Cut each fennel bulb in half, then cut each half into wedges. Scatter the fennel and rosemary sprigs in a medium roasting pan (it's best if the roast fits snugly in the pan). Place the pork in the roasting pan on top of the fennel, fat side up, and roast until a thermometer inserted into the center of the pork registers 145 degrees F, about 1 hour, 45 minutes. Transfer the pork to a platter or cutting board and cover loosely with foil; let rest 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, turn the fennel wedges and return the pan to the oven. Continue roasting until the fennel is caramelized, about 15 minutes. Cut the pork into chops and serve with the fennel.

TUSCAN PORK ROAST

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the garlic, rosemary, oil and salt; cover and process until mixture becomes a paste. Rub over the roast; cover and let stand for 30 minutes. , Place roast fat side up on a greased baking rack in a shallow roasting pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until a thermometer reads 145°. Let meat stand for 10 minutes before slicing.

30-MINUTE ROASTED PORK WITH GRAPES AND COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Position 2 oven racks in the top and middle position, and preheat to 450 degrees F. Toss the grapes and sage leaves with 2 tablespoons of the oil, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake on the top rack until the grapes have shriveled and softened and the skins have browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Pull out some of the sage leaves to use as garnish.
• Meanwhile, season the pork all over with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a large ovenproof skillet over high heat. Add the pork and cook, turning as needed, until well-browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer the skillet to the middle rack of the oven, and roast the pork until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 145 degrees F, 11 to 12 minutes. Set aside to rest.
• While the grapes and pork roast, put the couscous in a medium bowl. Add just enough hot water to cover the couscous, cover with plastic wrap and let sit until all the liquid is absorbed and the couscous is tender, about 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
• Slice the pork. Put the couscous on a serving platter, and top with the pork and grapes. Sprinkle with the walnuts and reserved sage leaves.