Herb-Smothered Roasted Pork Loin

News Flash!

I’ve been outed.

Yep.

If you’re an avid reader of EE, you know that I like my anonymity.   Most all who know me personally,  do not know I blog.  Well, the gig is up.

Who outed me?

My ten-year-old nephew.

 

During this past Christmas holiday, the youngest nephew saw “eliotseats” (my typical user name) on one of my electronic devices.

“Do you have a blog?”  He immediately went there.  As I recall, I glossed over his question and changed the subject.

This past weekend, my mother left me a comment stating how great it was that her grandson left my blog up on her computer.   (Previously, the nephew had posted a comment about a favorite meal.  Apparently, he had been stalking me.  I sort of glossed that over as well.)

There goes my anonymity not to mention the holiday cookbook gifts full of EE’s recipes.  (No more surprises.)  🙁

 

But, on to another holiday.   Here is the main dish from our Easter dinner:  Herb-Smothered Roasted Pork Loin that accompanied our Pea Salad.   I based this recipe on an old Gourmet one that was conventionally roasted in the oven with the roast simply placed on top of the herbs.

Herb-Smothered Roasted Pork Loin

Debra (based on HERB-ROASTED PORK LOIN from Gourmet, April 2009)

This recipe utilizes the best of spring herbs and allows you to fire up the grill!

Ingredients

  • 4-4 1/2 lb. pork loin roast
  • 2 T. extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1/2 c. shallots, chopped
  • 2 T. minced garlic
  • 3 T. Dijon mustard
  • 1 T. fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 T. fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 T. fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 T. fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 t. fine sea salt
  • 1 1/2 t. fresh ground pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare your grill for indirect grilling by piling the coals to one side of a charcoal grill and placing a drip pan filled halfway with water on the other side. Light the coals and close the lid to preheat. If you are using a gas grill, turn all the burners on high for 15 minutes. Then, turn off all the burners on one side of the grill and turn the other burners down to a medium-low temperature, about 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Pat roast dry and heat. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet on high heat. When oil is shimmering, brown roast on all sides. Remove to a large sheet of heavy duty foil.
  3. Stir together remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, shallots, garlic, Dijon, herbs and salt and pepper. Smear over top and sides of roast.
  4. Wrap roast tight in the foil, making a sealed packet.  Make sure the fat side of your pork roast is on top.
  5. Place the foil packet on the grill away from the direct heat of the flames. Cover the grill and allow  to cook 2-3 hours, depending on the size, until it has reached an internal temperature of at least 145° F (using a meat thermometer).
  6. Remove from grill and reserve juices.  (At this point, feel free to place the roast back on the grill rack just for grill marks and some more char if you desire.)
  7. Place reserved juices in a small sauce pan and reduce to about half.
  8. While the au jus is reducing, place roast on a meat board and allow to rest for 10 minutes (the amount of time it will take to reduce the sauce).
  9. Serve with au jus on the side.

Yield: 8-10

Seriously, take care of the au jus.   It’s delicious!

Mom and Nephew-Number-Two, maybe we will make this the next time you visit.

 

7 comments to Herb-Smothered Roasted Pork Loin

  • Love roast pork! It has SO much flavor. And this pork loin looks superb — great crust, and love those herbs. Your nephew will have to be very good to deserve this! 😀

  • Pam

    Ha! Leave it a kid, they’ll out you every time! He owes you!!! Great pork roast, but way too rainy and chilly here for the grill. I’ll save the recipe for later, thanks!

  • Your family didn’t know you had a blog?! How did you manage to keep it secret for so long and why? It your family is like mine, they want to support you. Glad they found you and what a great post to break the news. Love pork loin roast and this is a winner.

  • I am usually not really fancy for pork, but this roast looks really SUPER, Debra. That herb rub will work for some chicken thighs too, I guess?

  • mae

    Don’t you miss Gourmet? I guess you can still get their recipes at Epicurious. But I loved their online magazine. Long ago I recycled all the back issues because it was online — too bad.

    I guess kids just are way ahead of adults when it comes to the internet!

    best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com