Mustard Fennel Pork Loin with Cumberland Pan Sauce

Ingredients for Mustard Fennel Pork Loin with Cumberland Pan Sauce

• 2 California bay leaves

• 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt

• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds

• 1 (4- to 4 1/2-lb) centre-cut boneless pork loin roast* (3 to 4 inches in diameter

• preferably organic or sustainably raised)

• 60ml coarse-grain mustard

• 2 teaspoons olive oil plus additional for greasing

• 120ml plus 1 tablespoon water

• 80ml ruby Port

• 160ml fresh orange juice

• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

• 3 tablespoons red-currant jelly

• 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger

• 1/4 teaspoons salt

• 1 tablespoon cornflour

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

• Accompaniment: pork cracklings

• an electric coffee/spice grinder

• kitchen string

• a 17- by 12-inch flameproof roasting pan (not glass) with a rack

• an instant-read thermometer

How to make Mustard Fennel Pork Loin with Cumberland Pan Sauce

Discard centre stem from bay leaves, then crumble leaves into grinder and pulse with kosher salt and fennel seeds until bay leaves are finely chopped.

Discard any strings from loin if tied. Arrange loin, fat side up, lengthwise on a work surface. Holding knife horizontally, make a lengthwise cut about 1 1/2 inches deep along side of loin (do not cut all the way through). Open loin like a book, then pat dry inside and out. Rub 1 tablespoon mustard all over cut sides, then sprinkle with 1 teaspoon seasoned salt. Close loin and tie crosswise at 1-inch intervals with string. Rub olive oil evenly over roast, then rub with remaining mustard and sprinkle with remaining seasoned salt, pressing lightly to help adhere. Oil roasting rack, then transfer pork, fat side up, to rack set in roasting pan and marinate, loosely covered and chilled, at least 12 hours.

Let pork stand at room temperature 30 minutes before roasting.

While pork comes to room temperature, put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 232°C.

Roast pork 25 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 163°C and continue to roast until thermometer inserted diagonally 2 inches into centre of meat registers 63°C, 35 to 45 minutes. Transfer pork to a platter (reserve roasting pan) and let stand, uncovered, 25 minutes.

If there is fat in roasting pan, skim all but 1 tablespoon . Straddle roasting pan across 2 burners, then add 120ml water and deglaze pan by boiling over high heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, 1 minute. Add Port and boil 1 minute. Add orange and lemon juices, jelly, ginger, and salt, and cook, whisking, until jelly is dissolved. Whisk together remaining tablespoon water and cornflour in a cup, then add to pan and boil, whisking, 1 minute. Remove from heat and whisk in butter, then pour sauce through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl.

Discard string from pork. Slice pork and serve with sauce and cracklings.

*Available at some supermarkets, some specialty foods shops, and Niman Ranch (866-808-0340; nimanranch.com).

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.