Tuscan Style Pork Roast

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Tuscan Style Pork Roast

An herbaceous pancetta stuffed pork roast with a crispy exterior. Finished with a lemon vinaigrette. Adapted from Binging With Babish whose instructions are notoriously bad.

Served with roasted potatoes and roasted zucchini.

2.5 hrTotal time
14Steps
12Ingredients
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Ingredients for 2

  • ⅓ pork Roast
  • ⅔–1 tbsp fresh rosemary
  • 2 ⅔ cloves garlic, minced
  • ⅛ cup high quality olive oil
  • ⅓ lemon
  • 1 ⅓ oz pancetta or bacon
  • ⅓ tsp fresh parsley
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Side: Roasted potatoes

  • ¾ lb red potatoes
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Side: Roasted zucchini

  • 1 zucchini
  • 1 tsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C)

  2. Butterfly the roast by cutting into three parts by cutting into the side starting a third of the way up the roast. When you get to the end of the roast open it up and repeat for the remaining roast. You're opening it up like a pamphlet. Refer to the video linked above if you're confused.

  3. Cover with plastic wrap and beat with meat mallet to pound the pork to an even levelness.

  4. Mince garlic cloves(8) with the rosemary(2 Tbsp). Place into a cold pan with olive oil(1/3 cup) and zest of lemon(1). Keep lemon for later.

  5. Bring to slow simmer on medium low heat for 2-3 minutes. Strain the herbs making sure to squeeze all excess oil. Reserve oil for later.

  6. Add pancetta/bacon(4 oz) to food processor. Pulse a few times before adding the garlic/rosemary mixture. Process until a smooth paste forms.

  7. Salt and pepper both sides of the roast before placing the roast fat side down and spreading the paste over the roast leaving about a 2 inch gap on one side.

  8. Roll tightly towards the 2 inch gap and use butchers twine to secure the roll. Place a knot every inch or so.

  9. Bake at 275°F (135°C) for 2 hours or until internal temperature reads 135°F (57°C) in the thickest part.

  10. About 40 minutes before serving, start the potatoes: heat the oven to 425°F. Cut the potatoes into bite-size pieces, toss with the olive oil, salt and pepper, and roast for 25–30 minutes until golden, turning once. If the oven is already in use at a lower temperature, roast on another rack and allow 10–15 minutes longer.

  11. About 25 minutes before serving, start the zucchini: heat the oven to 425°F. Cut the zucchini into half-moons, toss with the olive oil, salt and pepper, and roast for 15–20 minutes until browned. If the oven is already in use at a lower temperature, roast on another rack and allow 10–15 minutes longer.

  12. Add olive oil to cast iron skillet and heat on high until ripping hot. Cut remaining lemon in half. Brown all sides of pork roast and lemon using tongs.

  13. Juice the lemon into the remaining oil from the garlic/rosemary herb spread. Add freshly chopped parsley. Whisk with fork until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.

  14. Slice roast into 1/2 inch thick slices and top with lemon herb vinaigrette.

Tips

  • Food processor Fine mesh strainer Cast iron skillet Butchers twine