Melting Pork Loin in Creamy Garlic Gravy
This melting pork loin in creamy garlic gravy is an indulgent and comforting dish that has been cherished in my family for generations. The pork is slow-cooked to perfection, becoming so tender that it practically dissolves in your mouth. Infused with a rich sauce made from sour cream and seasoned with aromatic garlic and bay, this dish promises to elevate your dining experience. Whether it's a cozy family dinner or a gathering with friends, serve it generously over fluffy mashed potatoes for a delightful meal that everyone will remember.
4
Servings
300
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Center-cut pork loin or thick pork chops
1 (Cut into thick pieces)
Garlic cloves
2 (Crushed)
Olive oil
4 tablespoons (Approximate for browning meat)
Salt
to taste
Pepper
to taste
Sour cream
1 cup
Water
as needed (For cooking and gravy)
Soup seasoning (Vegeta or all-purpose)
1/2 teaspoon
All-purpose flour
1/4 cup
Onion
1 (Cut in half)
Bay leaf
1
Instructions
1
Begin by rubbing the pork loin or chops with crushed garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper until well coated.
2
Transfer the meat into a plastic bag and allow it to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight for more flavor.
3
In a large pot, heat enough olive oil to cover the bottom. Once hot, add the halved onion and marinated pork pieces, browning the meat on all sides for about 5-7 minutes.
4
After browning, add enough water to the pot to just cover the meat and reduce the heat to medium. Allow the meat to simmer until the water is almost evaporated, maintaining a careful watch to prevent burning.
5
Repeat this process of adding water and allowing it to evaporate until the pork becomes tender enough to easily shred with a fork.
6
Once the meat is tender, remove it from the pot along with the larger pieces of onion. Discard the onion and scrape any drippings left in the pot into the remaining water.
7
Add around a cup of water to the pot, stirring to combine with the drippings, and bring it to a gentle boil.
8
In a separate bowl, mix the sour cream and flour with approximately 1/2 cup of water until smooth and free of lumps.
9
Slowly pour this mixture into the boiling pot, stirring continuously. Allow it to come to a simmer for a few minutes, adjusting the thickness of the gravy by adding more water or flour/sour cream mixture as desired.
10
Add the bay leaf to the pot and stir well, then remove from heat.
11
Return the cooked pork to the pot, allowing it to soak up the flavors of the gravy for about 15 minutes before serving.
12
Serve the melting pork in the creamy garlic gravy over fluffy mashed potatoes for a truly satisfying meal.
Nutrition Information
12.5
Carbs
25
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Melting Pork Loin in Creamy Garlic Gravy?
It is an indulgent and comforting dish where pork is slow-cooked until tender and served in a rich sauce made from sour cream, garlic, and bay leaves.
What cut of meat is best for this recipe?
You should use a center-cut pork loin or thick-cut pork chops for the best results.
How should I prepare the pork before cooking?
Cut the pork into thick pieces and rub them with crushed garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper until well coated.
How long should I marinate the pork?
Marinate the meat in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, though overnight is preferred for maximum flavor.
How do I brown the meat?
Heat olive oil in a large pot and brown the pork pieces along with a halved onion on all sides for about 5 to 7 minutes.
What is the secret to making the pork tender enough to 'melt'?
The secret is the process of adding enough water to cover the meat, letting it simmer until nearly evaporated, and repeating this until the pork can be easily shredded with a fork.
Do I leave the onion in the final gravy?
No, once the meat is tender, remove the larger pieces of onion and discard them before finishing the gravy.
How do I create the base for the gravy?
Scrape the drippings left in the pot into about a cup of water, stir well, and bring it to a gentle boil.
How do I thicken the garlic gravy?
Mix 1 cup of sour cream and 1/4 cup of flour with 1/2 cup of water until smooth, then slowly pour it into the boiling pot while stirring.
How do I ensure the gravy is lump-free?
Ensure you mix the sour cream, flour, and water in a separate bowl until it is completely smooth before adding it to the pot.
What seasoning is recommended for this dish?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of soup seasoning, such as Vegeta or an all-purpose seasoning.
When should I add the bay leaf?
Add the bay leaf to the pot after the gravy has thickened and simmered for a few minutes.
How long should the pork soak in the gravy?
Return the cooked pork to the pot and let it soak up the flavors of the gravy for about 15 minutes before serving.
What is the best side dish for this pork?
This dish is best served generously over fluffy mashed potatoes.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields 4 servings.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are approximately 300 calories per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving contains 25 grams of protein.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
There are 12.5 grams of carbohydrates in each serving.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
You will need 2 crushed garlic cloves for the initial rub.
Can I adjust the thickness of the gravy?
Yes, you can adjust it by adding more water to thin it or more of the flour and sour cream mixture to thicken it.
Is this a traditional family recipe?
Yes, this is a cherished family recipe that has been passed down through generations.
What type of flour is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour.
How much olive oil is required for browning?
You need approximately 4 tablespoons of olive oil to cover the bottom of the pot.
What happens if the water evaporates too quickly?
Maintain a careful watch to prevent burning and add more water immediately to continue the tenderizing process.
Can I use other types of pork?
While pork loin and chops are recommended, the method works best with cuts that can withstand slow simmering.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients total, including spices and water.
Is the onion chopped before adding to the pot?
No, the onion should be simply cut in half.
What should the texture of the pork be when finished?
The pork should be tender enough to be easily shredded with a fork.
What flavor profile does this dish have?
It is a savory, aromatic, and creamy dish infused with garlic and bay leaf flavors.
Is there a specific heat setting for simmering the meat?
After browning, reduce the heat to medium for the simmering process.