Tags
best gluten free recipe, dairy free, Frenched pork loin, gluten free, healthy holiday recipes, Paleo pork recipe
Josh and I are hosting family Christmas this year. It will be a gluten free, lactose free, nut and seed free, vegetarian-friendly affair. No big deal! An opportunity to make some whole grain dishes, indulge in more sweet potatoes, learn about lentils, and create new holiday favorites, like this apple pork roast. It’s perfect for Christmas eve, New Years Eve, or any other occasion where you want to treat your guests to something other than turkey or ham.
This Frenched pork rib roast looked so different from anything we normally associate with pork that we snapped it up! We threw everything at it, layering flavours and techniques to create something tender and delicious. The best part was the gravy, made from the apples, onions and spices which the pork roasted in. It keeps the preparation simple, eliminating the need to make a separate gravy, and uses all the ingredients to their fullest potential. It was a classy meal, suitable for family dinners and holiday feasts. We ate a leftover chop as an appetizer too, because we just couldn’t get enough!
Ingredients:
- 2.25kg pork loin centre Frenched rack
- 2 tbsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp fresh rosemary
- 1/2 tsp cayenne
- 2 large Gala apples, quartered
- 2 medium onions, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
Preparation:
Mix the nutmeg, salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, rosemary and cayenne together. Rub over entire rack and let marinate overnight if possible.
Preheat oven to 375°. Melt the coconut oil over medium heat in a large cast iron pan. Brown the rack on all sides. Set it down in the pan, and surround with the apples, onions and garlic. Cover with a lid and place in the oven. After one hour, uncover. Continue roasting for another 20 minutes, or until the internal temperatures is 160°. Transfer the meat to a serving platter and cover with foil. While the pork is resting, place everything else plus the 1/4 tsp pepper in the food processor. Deglaze the pan of the brown bits the best you can and add them in. Process until you have a nice apple sauce. Carve the rack into chops, and serve with warm sauce on the side.
Bon appétit!