Tuscan Pork Loin

From EatingWell: December 2005/January 2006

Roasted pork loin is a staple of Italian cooking. In this recipe we coat the lean meat with garlic, rosemary and aromatic lemon zest before it goes in the oven, and then deglaze the pan with vermouth to make a savory gravy. The roast is perfect for entertaining but equally at home for a Sunday family supper.

READER'S COMMENT:

"i just made this for christmas dinner and it was a huge success! i brined the pork loin first in a brown sugar-salt brine and it was so tender and juicy. everyone asked for the recipe! "

Makes: About 10 servings

Active Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes (including 1 hour marinating time)

Nutrition Profile

View Our Nutrition Guidelines »

Ingredients

1 3-pound pork loin, trimmed
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
3/4 cup dry vermouth, or white wine
2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar

Preparation

Tie kitchen string around pork in three places so it doesn’t flatten while roasting. Place salt and garlic in a small bowl and mash with the back of a spoon to form a paste. Stir in oil, rosemary and lemon zest; rub the mixture into the pork. Refrigerate, uncovered, for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Place the pork in a roasting pan. Roast, turning once or twice, until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 145°F, 40 to 50 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board; let rest for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, add vermouth (or wine) and vinegar to the roasting pan and place over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and cook, scraping up any browned bits, until the sauce is reduced by half, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove the string and slice the roast. Add any accumulated juices to the sauce and serve with the pork.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Equipment: Kitchen string

Nutrition

Per 3-ounce serving: 221 calories; 11 g fat ( 3 g sat , 6 g mono ); 69 mg cholesterol; 1 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 24 g protein; 0 g fiber; 156 mg sodium; 368 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Thiamin (58% daily value), Selenium (50% dv).

Exchanges: 3.5 lean meat

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