The roast pork with apples is one of those recipes that never goes out of style in my home. Since my childhood, the tempting aroma that fills the kitchen when this dish is cooking has been synonymous with special moments and family celebrations. The flavor of the juicy, tender pork combined with the natural sweetness of the caramelized apples, which blend in every bite, create a symphony of flavors that awaken the senses. And it's super easy to prepare!

The art of preparing this delight is simple but captivating. The butter melting in the pan, the pork slowly browning, and the sweet aroma that rises when the apples and spices intertwine is simply magical. It's like a culinary ritual that brings the family together around the table, creating memories that last.

Apples, that versatile and abundant fruit, add a surprising touch to the recipe. They not only complement the meat with their natural sweetness, but they also offer a soft texture and a refreshing acidity that balances the flavors. It's the perfect marriage of savory and sweet, tender and crisp.

And when the sauce, with its nuances and deep tones, is poured over the pork just out of the oven, every spoonful is a journey of comforting flavors that transports us to moments of joy and connection.

 

Cerdo asado de Navidad

 

Ingredients

For the roast

  • 1,2 kg de paleta o solomillo de cerdo
  • 20 g de mantequilla
  • 2 cucharadas de aceite de oliva
  • 1/2 cebolla
  • 2 dientes de ajo
  • 1/2 vaso de agua
  • 3 manzanas
  • 200 g de castañas enteras
  • 50 g de arándanos secos
  • Sal
  • Pimienta

For the sauce:

  • 1 cebolla
  • 20 g de mantequilla
  • 1 cucharada de miel
  • 25 cl de cerveza
  • 1 cucharada de caldo de carne (o caldo vegetal en su defecto)
  • 1 vaso de agua
  • 2 ramitas de romero
  • 1 cucharada de harina de trigo
  • Las pieles de las manzanas
  • El jugo que extraigas al desglasar la sartén (indicado en la preparación)

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 ºC.
  2. Season the pork generously with salt and pepper, on all sides.
  3. In the De Buyer Shallow Casserole, melt the butter and oil over low heat. Brown the pork on all sides.
  4. Add the onion and garlic to the Shallow Casserole (I like to chop some on top and leave others whole around it). Cook over heat for 2 minutes.
  5. Add half a glass of stock to the Shallow Casserole and bake for 45 minutes, turning it every 15 minutes.
  6. Deglaze the Shallow Casserole with a small glass of water to recover all the cooking juices. Reserve this juice; it's super tasty and we'll use it for the sauce.
  7. Peel and cut the apples, and save the peels (also for making the sauce).
  8. Add the apples and the chestnuts to the roast, and bake for 25 more minutes.
  9. Add the cranberries and the sauce (recipe below) and bake 5 more minutes. Remove from the oven.

Make the sauce:

  1. In a frying pan or saucepan, add the apple peels, the honey and sauté for 3–4 minutes.
  2. Deglaze with the beer. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium, add the beef stock you reserved earlier, the water, the meat juices and the rosemary. Season with salt and pepper and mix.
  3. When the sauce thickens, pass it through a chinois and squeeze the solids well to extract all the juice.
  4. Continue cooking the strained sauce over low heat. You can thicken it by adding the flour (stir well to avoid lumps). Make sure to cook the flour thoroughly.
  5. Pour over the roast 5 minutes before the end of cooking, at the same time as the cranberries.

 

Note:

  • Deglazing is a culinary technique that refers to adding liquid to a pan or vessel where meats, vegetables or other foods have been cooked, to dissolve and collect the caramelized residues that stick to the bottom. To deglaze, water, stock, wine, beer or other liquids are generally used. This liquid is poured into the hot pan where the food was cooked and stirred to loosen and dissolve those golden, flavorful bits left stuck. This process releases intense flavors and becomes the base for sauces or to add more flavor to the preparation.
  • This roast recipe with sauce and fruit can be adapted to different types of meat, especially those that benefit from slow oven cooking to achieve tenderness and retain flavors. Some options include:

    1. Beef roast: Cuts like chuck roast or brisket are excellent for this method. They have a deep flavor that pairs well with the fruits and sauce.

    2. Chicken or Turkey: You can try this recipe with pieces of chicken or turkey, such as thighs or drumsticks. They will bring a different but delicious flavor to the fruit and sauce mix.

    3. Lamb: Lamb is also an excellent option. Cuts like leg or shoulder work well in this type of preparation.

    4. Pork (Other cuts): In addition to the roast pork in the original recipe, you can try other pork parts, such as loin or shoulder.

    The key is to adjust the cooking time according to the meat you choose, since each has ideal times and temperatures to achieve the desired texture and flavor.

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