Herb-Crusted Roasted Pork Loin with Rustic Vegetables
This Herb-Crusted Roasted Pork Loin is a show-stopping dish perfect for family gatherings or weekend dinners. Infused with aromatic garlic and fresh thyme, this succulent pork loin rests atop a vibrant medley of roasted fennel, carrots, and potatoes, creating a delightful harmony of flavors. The crispy edges of the pork combined with the tender, caramelized vegetables make for a satisfying meal that is sure to impress. With every bite, you'll experience the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and earthy notes. This recipe highlights the beauty of simple ingredients and is easy to prepare, allowing you to enjoy a delicious home-cooked feast without hassle!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
kosher salt
1 tablespoon (for seasoning)
fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon (fresh)
Dijon mustard
1/4 cup (for spreading on pork)
boneless pork loin
3 lbs (trimmed and tied)
fennel bulbs
3 small (tops removed, thickly wedged)
carrots
8 (peeled and thickly sliced diagonally)
potatoes
10 small (cut into quarters (red or white-skinned))
yellow onions
2 (thickly sliced)
olive oil
4 tablespoons (for tossing vegetables)
unsalted butter
4 tablespoons (melted for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
2
In a food processor, combine the minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of kosher salt, thyme leaves, and Dijon mustard until well blended.
3
Spread the garlic-thyme mixture evenly all over the pork loin, ensuring it is fully coated. Let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to enhance the flavors.
4
While the pork is resting, prepare the vegetables by slicing the fennel bulbs into thick wedges and cutting the carrots diagonally into thick slices.
5
In a large mixing bowl, toss the fennel, carrots, quartered potatoes, and thickly sliced onions in the olive oil and melted butter. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
6
Transfer the seasoned vegetables into a large roasting pan and place them in the preheated oven. Roast for 30 minutes until they begin to caramelize.
7
Carefully take the pan out of the oven and place the herb-coated pork loin on top of the roasted vegetables. Return the roasting pan to the oven and cook for an additional 30 to 50 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the loin reads 138 degrees F (60 degrees C).
8
Once the pork is done, take it out of the roasting pan and cover it loosely with aluminum foil to rest for 15 minutes. This step is crucial for maintaining juiciness.
9
In the meantime, keep the roasting vegetables in the oven to finish cooking until tender and slightly crispy.
10
Remove the strings from the rested pork loin and slice it into thick pieces.
11
Arrange the slices of pork and the roasted vegetables on a beautiful serving platter.
12
Finally, sprinkle with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, and serve warm.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Herb-Crusted Roasted Pork Loin?
It is a succulent pork dish infused with garlic and thyme, served with a medley of roasted fennel, carrots, and potatoes.
What vegetables are included in this recipe?
This recipe features a vibrant medley of fennel bulbs, carrots, potatoes, and yellow onions.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for optimal roasting.
What ingredients make up the herb crust?
The crust is made from a blend of minced garlic, kosher salt, fresh thyme leaves, and Dijon mustard.
How long should the pork rest before roasting?
After coating the pork in the herb mixture, let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to enhance the flavors.
How should the fennel bulbs be prepared?
The tops should be removed, and the bulbs should be sliced into thick wedges.
What is the best way to cut the carrots?
Peel the carrots and cut them diagonally into thick slices.
What kind of potatoes should be used?
The recipe calls for small red or white-skinned potatoes, cut into quarters.
What fat is used to season the vegetables?
The vegetables are tossed in a combination of 4 tablespoons of olive oil and 4 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter.
How long do the vegetables roast before adding the pork?
The vegetables should roast alone in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until they begin to caramelize.
How long does the pork loin take to cook?
The pork loin takes an additional 30 to 50 minutes to cook once placed on top of the vegetables.
What internal temperature should the pork reach?
A meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part should read 138 degrees F (60 degrees C).
Why is it important to let the pork rest after cooking?
Resting the pork for 15 minutes while covered loosely with foil is crucial for maintaining its juiciness.
What happens to the vegetables while the pork rests?
Keep the roasting vegetables in the oven during the resting period to finish cooking until they are tender and slightly crispy.
When should the strings be removed from the pork?
Remove the strings from the pork loin after it has finished resting and just before slicing.
How many garlic cloves are needed for the rub?
You will need 2 minced garlic cloves for the herb-crust mixture.
What type of mustard is used in the recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 1/4 cup of Dijon mustard.
Is fresh or dried thyme recommended?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme leaves.
How should the yellow onions be sliced?
The two yellow onions should be sliced thickly.
What size pork loin is required?
A 3 lb boneless pork loin, trimmed and tied, is ideal for this recipe.
Can I use a food processor for this recipe?
Yes, a food processor is used to blend the garlic, salt, thyme, and mustard into a smooth mixture.
How do I serve the roasted pork and vegetables?
Slice the pork into thick pieces and arrange them on a platter with the roasted vegetables, serving everything warm.
Should I add extra seasoning before serving?
Yes, you can sprinkle additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste once the dish is plated.
What is the flavor profile of this dish?
The dish offers a balance of savory, sweet, and earthy notes with aromatic garlic and fresh herbs.
How many carrots are used?
The recipe requires 8 carrots.
How many fennel bulbs are needed?
You will need 3 small fennel bulbs.
Is this recipe suitable for beginners?
Yes, it is described as an easy recipe that highlights simple ingredients without much hassle.
Can I use salted butter?
The recipe calls for unsalted butter, but you can use salted butter if you adjust the additional salt accordingly.
Is this a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a one-dish meal because the meat and vegetables are roasted together in the same pan.
What makes the pork 'herb-crusted'?
The pork is coated in a thick paste of garlic, fresh thyme, and Dijon mustard that creates a flavorful crust during roasting.