Saturday, February 6, 2010

Pancetta Wrapped Pork Roast

My Dad requested pork for his 69th birthday dinner. I researched quite a few recipes thinking of combining bits & pieces of each, until I saw this one by Giada. It had 200 reviews & a 5 star rating. I get why!!!!!

This was so easy to prepare as I got it ready the day before & just popped it in the oven the day of. And talk about delicious! The pancetta, an Italian bacon,  gives such a nice flavor & the pan juices are perfect for serving with mashed potatoes. You don't have to worry about making a thick sauce after the roast is done.

This is perfect for a special dinner or even just a weekend night at home with the family. I loved it & can't wait to make it again. Leftovers can easily be used for some cuban sandwiches. Just see my notes as usual for modifications!



PANCETTA WRAPPED PORK ROAST

{ Printable Recipe Here }

6-8 large garlic cloves
1 tblspn finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 tblspn finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 tblspn olive oil
1 (3 1/2 to 4 lb) tied boneless pork loin roast *
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
4-6 ounces sliced pancetta *
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups dry white wine

Blend the garlic, rosemary, thyme & oil in a small food processor, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally, until the garlic is minced. Sprinkle the pork roast generously with salt & pepper. Spread the garlic mixture all over the pork, including the bottom. 


Overlap slices of the pancetta all over the top & part of the sides of the pork. Place the pork in a roasting pan. Cover & refrigerate at least 1 hour & up to 1 day.

Take your pork out 1 hour before you plan to place in oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Pour 1/2 cup of broth & 1/2 cup of wine into the roasting pan. Place a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the meat.


Add more broth & wine to the pan juices every 20 minutes. Roast the pork until a meat thermometer inserted into the center registers 140 degrees, about 45 min - 1 hour.* Transfer the pork to a cutting board. Tent with aluminum foil & let stand for 10 minutes. Pour the pan drippings into a glass measuring cup & spoon off any fat that rises to the top.

Using a large sharp carving knife, cut the pork into 1/4-inch-thick slices & serve with the pan juices.


{ Food for Thought }

Buy center cut pork loin. It is one thick uniform piece with no need for tying. Fresh Rosemary & Thyme are best for this. Pancetta can be found fresh at your deli. Just ask for it to be sliced thin.

Please invest in a meat thermometer. The last thing you want is overdone pork. The one shown is a leave in thermometer for less than $10. You need to take the pork out when it reaches 140 because the temp will rise & it will continue to cook. 

One last thought ~ don't slice all of your pork when serving. If you have leftovers, it is best to keep it whole when storing it in the fridge to keep it from drying out!!!!!!!!

~ ~ ~ ~      ~ ~ ~ ~      ~ ~ ~ ~

And if you're looking for the perfect appetizer to go with this meal, these Spinach Ricotta Rounds are outrageous. I've made them before but when I made them again for my Dad's birthday, I made the process even easier so I went back to modify the recipe. My Mom & Dad loved these. They are definitely a favorite now!


Spinach Ricotta Rounds


I am linking deliciously to Lisa at Blessed with Grace
for
Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays!!!!!

48 comments:

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I made those rounds and they were delicious. Wow that pork looks really good. Thanks for the recipe.

Erin said...

Glad you reminded me about those rounds!!
I need to make them!!

Debbie said...

Those spinach rounds look great. I'm going to give them a try.

~Melody @ 6 Feet Over~ said...

I need smell-a-vision ... looks divine! I'm most definitely bookmarking this one...and then I'll claim it as my own recipe as to look like a cooking diva! ;-)

~melody~

FROGGITY! said...

LOL about the old post comment!!! i honestly have NO CLUE how i ended up on the asparagus one... i thought it was from today!! i must've linked through someone or ... something?? weird!

anyhoo, today's ACTUAL post looks wonderful. sigh, i wish i had enough energy to cook! i am pooped... need. nap. now.

KatiePerk said...

That looks AMAZING!

Gloria Baker said...

All look amazing, Happy belated birthday to your Dad, I love spinachs rounds look yummy! gloria

Kristina P. said...

Wow, this looks incredible!

pam said...

I have bookmarked this! Looks fantastic! I love recipes that make their own sauce. Thanks for visiting my blog!

Chef E said...

Yum Yum Yum Yum! Lucky dad!

Wrap pastry around it and call it 'Pork Wellington'...made that, and it is good! Serve with apples, and it is damn good!

Jen said...

Man, I LOVE your food. Someday, I hope to eat it too. ;)

docwrite said...

Lets not forget that pork has now a big testimonial from the Argentina's president from her personal experience that pork improved her sex life.

Ronda said...

Wow this looks amazing! I love pork. One of my favorite meats. Trying to find ways to make my hubby to like it too--this looks like a good one. He is fussy when it comes to pork. I have only made a roast with apple, onion, and apple juice, and saurkraut. Cooked sloooow, and was delicious! Yours sounds like a new yummy twist. Hope you have a fun day tomorrow.
XOXO

Brenda said...

I love this dish but have only eaten it out. I'll have to try this on our next special occasion.

BeautifulDisaster311 said...

Yum, Yum, Yum! I hope your father had a wonderful birthday and I hope you're doing well. Happy Super Bowl weekend!
:-)

Mikki said...

This looks AMAZING!!

Great job. I'm drooling and it's only 8:45 in the morning. LOL!!

Unknown said...

It looks delicious. I could almost smell it : )

Simple Daisy said...

The pork looks tastey! I don't eat meat...you know that!! But my husband would love it!!!! Now...I could really go for those spinach ricotte rounds!! YUM-O~

Bibi @ Bibi's Culinary Journey said...

That pork looks out of this world. Perfect color. It makes my mouth water.

Nana said...

Man alive!!!!!!!! Both of those are gonna be made at Nana's house. They look delish. Thanks for the recipes. Happy B-day to your dad.

Pam said...

What a beautiful pork roast! I am sure your father had a very happy birthday after eating this delicious meal.

Tabitha Blue said...

Oh how I wish I like pork, because this looks good... but I think I will go check out those spinach ricotta rounds!!! :P

The Blonde Duck said...

It sounds like a magnificent dinner! What a fabulous birthday present!

Reeni said...

The roast is mouth-watering delicious! Love it with pancetta!

Candi said...

How could you go wrong with pancetta wrapped anything :) Yummy!

annies home said...

love this recipe I just wonder if I could fix it in the crockpot

Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet said...

Both of these look and sound great! :D YUM!

Deanna said...

Oh my heavens that looks so delicious!

Family Balance Sheet said...

Your dad is one lucky man! Everything looks great.

Kristia

SimplySandi said...

The pork looks fabulous. I will add this recipe to several others I've been wanting to try!

Mommy2Twinkies-Deb said...

Yum! I'm posting soon about the Shrimp Etouffee that I made for the Superbowl in honor of the Saints. It was amazing!

Jean Stockdale said...

What a great recipe. It sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

Happy TMTT.

Blessings.

Coco said...

You outdid yourself. Looks fantastic!!

I really need a thermometer.

Stephanie said...

It all looks so yummy!

Mayhem and Moxie said...

I want to come to your Dad's birthday party. The food is going to be to die for. Nothing could possibly top what you have planned.

Enjoy!

Lula! said...

I see that Clos Du Bois wine hanging out in your kitchen--looooooove it!

And I'm always looking for a new pork recipe. Yes, I printed this out and yes, as soon as we are not buried underneath a foot of snow, I'll be making this. Delish.

The Blonde Duck said...

I did write "If I could go anywhere" at 5 in the morning over breakfast...I'm glad you liked it so much! It was just one of my whimsical musings!

Lorie said...

I am not sure what I want to try more! I am going to have to put the ingredients for both on my shopping list!

dining room table said...

Wow! This pork is really so good! I like it so much! I think I really should try this one.

kanishk said...

Glad you reminded me about those rounds!!
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Nishant said...

Those spinach rounds look great. I'm going to give them a try.
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tiarastantrums said...

oh I have a family dinner coming up here- I'm going to have to try this out!

Large Wall Mirrors Gal said...

Such a delicious dish wonderful dinner. Fabulous one to everyone.

Large Wall Mirrors Gal said...

Such a delicious dish wonderful dinner. Fabulous one to everyone.

Wood Dining Table Gal said...

Very delicious dish to make wonderful dinner.Specially good for special day. Details very clear to try this.

Oak Dining Set said...

They really looks very delicious. I felt hungry seeing it.

Granite Dining Table said...

What a recipe. Best for dinner. I will made them at home.

Victor said...

Really effective material, thanks so much for the post.
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