Maple-Glazed Pork Loin with Creamy Sweet Potato Mash
Delight in the harmony of flavors with this Maple-Glazed Pork Loin, where succulent meat meets the natural sweetness of maple syrup. The roast is perfectly caramelized and tender, creating a beautiful centerpiece for your dinner table. Accompanying this dish are creamy, buttery sweet potatoes, enhanced with a touch of brown sugar for added richness. The contrasting tastes and textures of this meal promise to be a hit for family gatherings or special occasions. Follow this recipe for an unforgettable culinary experience—your taste buds will thank you.
8
Servings
287.5
Calories
5
Ingredients
Ingredients
Boneless pork loin roast
4 lbs (Pat dry and season with salt and pepper.)
All-purpose flour
4 1/2 tablespoons (Used for dusting the roasting pan and making the beurre manié.)
Pure maple syrup
1/4 cup (For brushing on the pork during roasting.)
Sweet potatoes
4 lbs (Peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces.)
Unsalted butter
3 tablespoons (Softened, for seasoning the sweet potatoes.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Pat the pork loin roast dry with paper towels and generously season it with salt and freshly ground black pepper on all sides.
3
Sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon of all-purpose flour in the center of a flameproof roasting pan.
4
Position the seasoned pork roast on top of the flour and place it in the middle of the preheated oven. Roast for 40 minutes.
5
After 40 minutes, brush the pork generously with 1/4 cup of pure maple syrup. Continue to roast, brushing with maple syrup every 10 minutes, until a meat thermometer inserted 2 inches into the thickest part of the roast reads 155°F (68°C). This should take an additional 20 to 25 minutes.
6
While the pork is roasting, peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into 1 1/2-inch pieces.
7
In a large pot, cover the sweet potato pieces with salted cold water by 2 inches. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, roughly 15 minutes.
8
Once cooked, drain the sweet potatoes in a colander, reserving 3 cups of the cooking water for later use.
9
Return the sweet potatoes to the pot and mash them with a potato masher until smooth. Alternatively, purée in a food processor for a silkier texture.
10
Season the mashed sweet potatoes with salt, pepper, and 3 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter, then keep warm until ready to serve.
11
Transfer the cooked pork to a serving platter, loosely cover with foil, and let it rest for about 10 minutes.
12
While the pork is resting, skim any excess fat from the pan juices.
13
In a small bowl, prepare a beurre manié by mixing together the remaining 4 tablespoons of flour and softened butter until smooth.
14
Add 1 cup of reserved sweet potato cooking water to the roasting pan and deglaze, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits. Bring to a boil.
15
Introduce the remaining 2 cups of reserved cooking water and any juices accumulated on the platter to the pan. Bring the mixture back to a boil.
16
Whisk in the beurre manié and simmer the sauce, whisking continuously, until it thickens to your preferred consistency, about 2 minutes.
17
Pour the sauce through a fine sieve into a sauceboat.
18
Slice the rested pork roast and serve it alongside the creamy sweet potatoes and the thickened maple sauce.
Nutrition Information
15
Fat
25
Carbs
18.75
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein used in this recipe?
The main protein is a 4 lb boneless pork loin roast.
What oven temperature is required for roasting the pork?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How should the pork loin be prepared before it goes into the oven?
Pat the roast dry with paper towels and season it generously on all sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Why is flour sprinkled in the roasting pan?
A 1/2 tablespoon of all-purpose flour is sprinkled in the center of the roasting pan to assist with the base of the sauce.
How long does the pork roast before the first glaze is applied?
The pork is roasted for an initial 40 minutes before glazing.
What is used to glaze the pork?
The pork is glazed with 1/4 cup of pure maple syrup.
How often should I brush the pork with maple syrup?
Brush the pork with maple syrup every 10 minutes after the initial 40-minute roasting period.
What is the target internal temperature for the pork roast?
The pork should reach an internal temperature of 155°F (68°C).
How should the sweet potatoes be cut for boiling?
The sweet potatoes should be peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces.
How long do the sweet potatoes need to boil?
They should be simmered in salted water for roughly 15 minutes until tender.
Should I save the water from the boiled sweet potatoes?
Yes, you should reserve 3 cups of the sweet potato cooking water to use for the sauce.
How can I achieve a silkier texture for the sweet potato mash?
For a silkier texture, purée the potatoes in a food processor instead of using a manual masher.
What ingredients are used to season the sweet potato mash?
The mash is seasoned with salt, pepper, and 3 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter.
How long should the pork rest after being removed from the oven?
The pork should rest for about 10 minutes on a serving platter.
What is the purpose of letting the pork rest?
Resting the meat allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the pork remains tender and succulent when sliced.
How do I prepare the beurre manié?
Mix 4 tablespoons of flour and 4 tablespoons of softened butter together in a small bowl until smooth.
How do you deglaze the roasting pan?
Add 1 cup of the reserved sweet potato cooking water to the roasting pan and use a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits.
What liquids are added to the pan to make the final sauce?
You add the remaining 2 cups of reserved cooking water and any accumulated juices from the resting pork.
How do I thicken the maple sauce?
Whisk the beurre manié into the boiling pan liquids and simmer for about 2 minutes.
How is the sauce refined before serving?
The sauce is poured through a fine sieve into a sauceboat to ensure a smooth consistency.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 8 people.
Is the pork loin roasted covered or uncovered?
The pork is roasted uncovered, but it is covered loosely with foil only during the resting period.
What are the primary flavors of this dish?
The dish features a harmony of savory pork, sweet maple glaze, and buttery sweet potatoes.
How much total flour is needed for the recipe?
A total of 4 1/2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour is required.
What tool is best for checking the pork's doneness?
A meat thermometer inserted 2 inches into the thickest part of the roast is recommended.
What should I do if there is excess fat in the roasting pan?
You should skim any excess fat from the pan juices before you begin the deglazing process.
Can I use salted butter for the sweet potatoes?
The recipe calls for unsalted butter, but if you use salted, you may need to reduce the additional salt added to the mash.
How do I ensure the sweet potatoes are cooked through?
Cook them until they are tender enough to be easily pierced with a fork, which takes about 15 minutes.
What are the calorie counts for this meal?
Each serving contains approximately 287.5 calories.
How is the final dish presented?
The rested pork is sliced and served alongside the creamy sweet potato mash with the thickened maple sauce poured over or served on the side.