Roasting the pork on a low or medium heat slowly softens it, and enhances its sweet and salty aromas. There are many cuts of pork that can be roasted in the oven, cooked slowly or cooked over low heat in a cast iron casserole, for example the loin, the shoulder and the crown. Read on to learn how to cook an amazing pork roast.
Ingrediants
- Pork Loin / Shoulder / Crown
- Onions
- Apples
- Beef / Chicken Broth
- Apple juice
- Extra virgin olive oil or seeds
- Herbs (bay leaf, rosemary, sage or thyme)
- salt
- pepper
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Part One: Prepare the Roast Pork
Step 1. If necessary, return the roast to the refrigerator to defrost
Depending on the size of the meat it may take 1 to 2 days.
Step 2. When it has completely thawed, remove it from the refrigerator
Arrange it on a plate and get ready to season it.
Step 3. Sprinkle it evenly with a generous helping of salt and pepper
Method 2 of 5: Part Two: Brown the Roast Pork
Step 1. Heat a large skillet over high heat
Add 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil or seeds to the pan.
Step 2. Brown the pork roast in the pan
Seal it on each side making sure it takes on a nicely caramelized color.
Browning the meat will seal all the juices inside, so they don't get dispersed in the pan during cooking. This process is recommended for both oven and slow cooker cooking
Method 3 of 5: Part Three: Cooking Method
Step 1. Choose your favorite cooking method
You can achieve a delicious result in several ways, so choose how to prepare your pork roast.
- Cook the pork roast in the oven at 165 ° C. It will take 35 minutes of cooking for every 450 g of meat. A pork roast on the bone will cook faster than one without the bone. The result will be a crisper surface and a less moist texture. This method is ideal for making gravy.
- Cook the pork roast in a slow cooker, the result will be a very tender meat. Cook the browned roast in the slow cooker for about 6 hours on low power. If your roast is very large, you can decide to cut it into smaller pieces. When using the slow cooker, always reduce the amounts of liquid indicated in the recipe (unless it is a recipe specifically designed for this type of pot).
- Cook the pork roast in a cast iron saucepan. Use the stove and bring all ingredients, including any added liquids, to a boil. After that, reduce the temperature, cover the pot and simmer for 2, 5 - 3 hours.
Method 4 of 5: Part Four: Seasonings and Other Ingredients
Step 1. After choosing your cooking method, chop an onion
This recipe for roast pork, and most of the other recipes, can be modified and adapted to the chosen cooking method.
Step 2. Slice 2 or 3 apples
Add the onions and apples to the cooking pot of your choice.
Step 3. Also add 240ml beef broth to further flavor the pork as it cooks
If you prefer, you can use chicken broth.
Step 4. Add 240 - 480ml of apple, cider, or other fruit juice to your taste
If you're using a slow cooker, use 120ml of beef stock and 120ml of apple juice. During cooking, moisture will remain in the pot, and excessive moisture can make the meat stringy
Step 5. Add additional spices, such as 1 bay leaf or 1 tablespoon of chopped sage, thyme or rosemary
If you are using a slow cooker, halve the spices required in the recipe. The extended cooking time increases the intensity of the flavor
Method 5 of 5: Part Five: Tips for Cooking Roast Pork
Step 1. Whichever cooking method you choose, place the fattest side of the roast facing up
In this way it can melt and flavor the underlying meat.
Step 2. Use a meat thermometer to see if the inside of the roast has reached 71 ° C
Some experts argue that pork can be safely eaten when it rises above 63 ° C.
Step 3. Make sure the thermometer does not come into contact with the bone, otherwise you will get an incorrect temperature reading
Step 4. Let the pork roast rest for 15 minutes before slicing
Cover it with aluminum foil so it doesn't disperse too much heat.
Step 5. For a more tender texture, slice the meat away from the fibers
Step 6. Whatever cooking method you choose, use the cooking liquids left at the bottom of the pot to make a sauce
Pour them into a pan and let them simmer until reduced by half. Use the sauce to drizzle the roast slices.