Bone-In Pork Loin

This year we did a Bone-In Pork Loin for Christmas.  I had never done one before and after poking around the web for ideas I became intrigued with the wonderful presentation of this dish.

This recipe calls for having your butcher "French the bones and remove the Chines".  Well, I instructed my local butcher to do so, and he told me what I needed him to do was "crack" the bones... Not what I said, but what am I supposed to know...

On Christmas morning, when it became time to prepare the roast, I opened up the wrapper to find a beautiful 6 Bone Loin without the chine bones removed and cuts at each rib... I guess that's what I needed, right?  

I was pretty upset, thinking that these cuts would ruin the Loin's culinary potential... 

Nonetheless, I cleaned up the chines and decided to press on... and everything turned out just fine.

Photo: Mary Ann Rice

Prep Time:  1/2 Hour

Cook Time:  45 to 60 Minutes

Servings:  6

Ingredients:

1 Bone-In pork Loin (4 to 5 pounds)

30 very thin slivers of garlic (from 3 to 4 cloves), plus 2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Method:  (For a photographic step-by-step check out Martha Stewart's original Post)

• Make Slits - Heat oven to 450 degrees. Use a sharp knife to make 24 slits evenly all over pork, including the ends, and insert a sliver of garlic and a small pinch of chopped fresh herbs into each one.
  
• Cut Pork - Holding knife against the bones, cut about 2 inches down to separate meat from the bone to create a pocket, leaving the bottom portion intact. 
  
• Season Pork - Season inside the pocket with salt and pepper, then add chopped garlic and remaining chopped fresh herbs, spreading evenly.
  
• Tie Pork - Tie roast closed with kitchen twine. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  
• Roast Pork - Place pork on a rimmed baking sheet or in a roasting pan and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part (avoiding bone) registers 130 degrees, 45 to 60 minutes. (Start checking temperature after 40 minutes so you can better gauge its progress.) 
  
• Serve Pork - Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes to allow the internal temperature to rise to 140.

Recipe Links:

Here is the original web post that provided the inspiration for the method.

Here is a similar post that provided the inspiration for the fresh herbs and seasoning.

Here is a video of the original post.

I also served a gravy with this dish - here is a link to the Pan Jus which provided the base.

Prime Rib Soup

This Thanksgiving I served a bone-in Prime Rib instead of the traditional turkey dinner.   There were just five of us total and what a great meal it was.  Served with fresh bread, this is a wonderful next day meal and a great way to use the wonderful browned and seasoned ribs that are left over.

Prep Time:  20 minutes

Cook Time:  3 hours 

Servings:  10

Ingredients:

Oil for sautéing

1 Large Onion, chopped

3 large cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup dry red wine
Bones of a rib roast
4 cups vegetable stock
4 cups water
3 carrots, sliced in ½" rounds
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into ½" dice
1 tablespoon dried basil
2 cans (14 ounces each) diced tomatoes with their juice
½ small head cabbage, coarsely chopped
1 cup leftover roast beef, cut into ½" pieces (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method:

• In a soup pot, heat oil, then sauté onions until just tender. Add garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.
• Add wine, scraping up any browned bits that may have formed. Add bones, stock and water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1½ hours.
• Place a colander in a large bowl and strain mixture. Add stock back to pot, then add all ingredients except cabbage and leftover beef. Cook for 20-30 minutes, until vegetables are just tender.
• Meanwhile, remove any meat from bones and set aside.
• When carrots and potatoes are just tender, add cabbage and cook for 10 minutes.
• Stir in beef pieces and add salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Serve with a crusty French bread or warm dinner rolls.

Recipe Links:

Here is the original recipe from Foodiekitchen.

Here is a link for the Prime Rib of Beef ... Don't forget the Au Jus!