The crackling and lean quality of the Pork Middle Loin joint makes it ideal for roasting, made all the more flavoursome with a serving of aromatic lentil hotpot
Method
Roast Pork Loin with Aromatic Lentils
Remember to remove your joint out of the packaging, pat dry and
bring to room temperature
Pre heat your oven to 200ºc temperature fan assisted or 215ºc
without a fan
Scald the pork rind by pouring over a full kettle onto the skin
over a clean sink with the pork resting on a wire tray
Choose a large, heavy-based roasting tray, ideally with deep
sides and handles for easy movement
Season with good quality fine sea salt
Place the pork skin side up onto the trivet which should line
the base of the tray
Place in centre of oven and roast for 20 minutes, then reduce
the temperature to 190ºc and continue roasting for 30 minutes per
500g, reaching a core temperature of minimum 65ºc
Remove from oven and pop onto a clean tray. Keep warm by
covering with a sheet of tin foil and rest for a minimum of 20
minutes before carving
Aromatic Lentil Hotpot
Fry the pancetta in a large pot over medium heat with the
butter, stirring frequently until the fat is rendered and the meat
is golden.
Add the vinegar and reduce to syrup
Add the onions and celery and cook, stirring occasionally,
until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes
Add the carrots and garlic, stirring constantly and cook 1
minute more
Add the tomato puree, chicken broth, lentils, thyme, bay leaves
and bring to a simmer
Thicken the sauce with a little cornflour by stirring into the
simmering liquid a little at a time
Cover partially, reduce heat to low and simmer until the
lentils are tender, 45-50 minutes. Remove the bay leaves and
discard