Garlic- and Herb-Roasted Pork Loin With Crackling and Spiced

• servings: 6 servings
• total time: 3 hours

Ingredients

For the Pork Loin:

One (4- to 5-pound; 2- to 2 1/2-kg) pork loin, center cut with rind still intact (see note)

Kosher salt

1/4 cup (60ml) neutral oil, like canola or grapeseed

2 heads garlic, cut in half across the bulbs

8 sprigs fresh thyme

2 sprigs fresh rosemary

For the Spiced Apple Chutney:

4 tart baking apples (such as Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch dice

3/4 cup chopped yellow onion

2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated (20g)

1/2 cup pomegranate juice (120ml)

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (150ml)

3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed (about 5 ounces; 140g)

1 teaspoon mustard seeds (about 2g)

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 star anise pod

Directions

For the pork : Dry the skin as much as possible with a paper towel. Generously season the meat (not the skin) with kosher salt, including in between the ribs and meat. Place the roast on a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet. Transfer to the refrigerator and let rest, uncovered, at least overnight and up to 3 days.

When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 475°F (250°C). If the butcher has not done it for you, score the rind with a very sharp knife, using long, parallel slits 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch apart across the width of the loin; be careful not to cut into the flesh.

Flip the loin over and rub the flesh side with 2 tablespoons of oil. Lift the meat from the bones. Place the garlic, thyme, and rosemary up against the meat. Using butcher's twine, tie the ribs back to the loin, with the aromatics sandwiched in between.

Rub the rind with more salt, ensuring that the salt is rubbed well into the slits. Brush the rind with remaining oil.

Place the loin, skin-side up, on a rack in a roasting pan or baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes. Reduce the heat to 325°F (160°C) and cook until an instant-read thermometer poked into the center of the loin reaches 130°F (54°C) for medium-rare, or 140°F (60°C) for medium, about 1 hour. Skin should be puffy and crisp; if it’s not puffy enough, remove the roast from the oven, preheat the broiler, and place the roast a few inches under the broiler until the skin puffs.

While the pork roasts, make the apple chutney : In a large saucepan, combine the apples, onion, ginger, pomegranate juice, vinegar, brown sugar, mustard seeds, pepper flakes, star anise, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to a simmer and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 45 minutes. Remove the star anise and allow to cool.

When the roast is done, remove it from the oven and let the loin rest on a carving board for 30 minutes.

Remove the ribs by cutting the remaining flap, discard the garlic and herbs. Carve the loin into slices following the scores so that each slice has a segment of crackling (approximately a 1/4-inch-wide strip). Serve the warm pork loin with apple chutney and your preferred sides. (We like Yorkshire puddings and a bitter green salad).

Nutrition

• Serving Size: Serves 6
• Calories: 717 kcal
• Total Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 211 mg
• Sodium: 304 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 34 g
• Dietary Fiber: 2 g
• Total Sugars: 31 g
• Protein: 64 g