Roasted Pork Loin with Cider and Chunky Applesauce

Ingredients

  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves roughly chopped
  • 2 sprigs fresh sage, leaves roughly chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed
  • Pinch crushed red pepper
  • Kosher salt
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 (6-chop) pork rib roast
  • 2 large onions, sliced
  • 1 bundle fresh thyme, tied with string
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 2 quarts apple cider, divided

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

In a food processor, combine the chopped herbs with the garlic, crushed red pepper, a generous pinch of salt, and enough olive oil to make a paste. Brush the paste on the outside of the pork rib roast.

Toss the onions with olive oil and salt and place in the bottom of a roasting pan. Add the thyme, bay leaves, and two-thirds of the cider. Place the pork on top of the onions and place in the oven. Roast the pork until it has developed a lovely brown crust, 20 to 25 minutes. Check on the pork and stir the onions and cider if they are starting to burn. Add more cider when the level starts to go down.

Lower the oven to 375 degrees F and roast until an instant-read thermometer reads 150 degrees F, 30 to 35 minutes. If the crust on the pork starts to get too dark, cover it with foil. Remove 1 1/2 cups of the cider from the bottom of the roasting pan and reserve for the applesauce.

Let the pork rest for at least 15 minutes before carving. When ready to carve, remove the pork from the bone and cut the loin into thin slices. Serve with the onions braised in cider and Chunky Applesauce.

from http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/anne-burrell/roasted-pork-loin-with-cider-and-chunky-applesauce-recipe2.html