Pork loin is a lean, delicate cut of meat compared to, say, a big, fatty chop, and this recipe is all about maximizing its taste and preserving its moisture. Applying the mustard marinade twice and roasting slowly with butter and herbs will simultaneously infuse the meat with complex flavor and help protect its precious internal juices. It’s very important to use a roasting rack, which helps the air circulate, resulting in even cooking.
Ingredients
Haricots Verts and Spring Onions
Mustard Breadcrumbs
Preparation
Step 1
Whisk together the mustard, thyme leaves, parsley, and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a shallow baking dish. Stir in the garlic, and slather the pork with this mustard mixture. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Step 2
Take the pork out of the refrigerator 1 hour before cooking, to bring it to room temperature. After 30 minutes, season the pork generously with salt and pepper. Reserve the marinade.
Step 3
Preheat the oven to 325°F.
Step 4
Heat a large sauté pan over high heat for 3 minutes. Swirl in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, and wait a minute or two, until the pan is very hot, almost smoking. Place the pork loin in the pan, and sear it on all sides until well browned and caramelized. Don’t turn or move the pork too quickly or all the mustard will be left in the pan and not on the pork. Be patient; this searing process takes 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 5
Transfer the pork loin to a roasting rack, and slather the reserved marinade over the meat. Reserve the pan. Arrange the rosemary, sage, and thyme sprigs on the roast and top with 3 tablespoons butter.
Step 6
Roast the pork until a thermometer inserted into the center reads 120°F, about 1 1/4 hours. Let the pork rest at least 10 minutes before slicing.
Step 7
While the pork is roasting, return the pork-searing pan to the stove over medium-high heat. Wait 1 to 2 minutes and then deglaze it with the chicken stock or water. Bring to a boil, whisking and scraping the bottom of the pan to release the crispy bits. Swirl in 3 tablespoons butter and set aside.
Step 8
Arrange the haricots verts and spring onions on a large warm platter. Slice the pork thinly, about 1/4-inch thick, and fan the meat over the beans. Add the buttery pork juices and herbs to the sauce, bring it to a boil, and then spoon it over the pork. Shower the mustard breadcrumbs over the top.
Haricots Verts and Spring Onions
Step 9
Blanch the haricots verts in a large pot of salted boiling water 2 to 3 minutes, until tender but still al dente.
Step 10
Cut the spring onions 1 inch above the bulb, leaving some green top still attached. Trim the roots, but leave the root end intact (this will keep the onions in wedges, rather than slices). Cut the onions lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick wedges.
Step 11
Heat two pans over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. (In order to get nice color on the onions and preserve their beautiful shape, it’s best to cook them in two large pans so they are not crowded.) Swirl 2 tablespoons olive oil into each pan, and gently place the onions in the pans, cut side down. Season with the thyme, salt, and pepper, and cook the onion wedges 2 to 3 minutes, until they start to brown slightly. Turn the onions, using tongs, and add the haricots verts. Season each pan with 1/4 teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring to combine. Add the butter and sage leaves and cook a few more minutes, tossing to glaze the vegetables in the butter and let the sage perfume them. Taste for seasoning.
Mustard Breadcrumbs
Step 12
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Step 13
Place the breadcrumbs in a medium bowl. Heat a small sauté pan over medium heat for 1 minute. Add the butter, and when it foams, whisk in the mustard, thyme, and parsley. Remove from the heat, let cool a few minutes, and then pour the mustard butter over the breadcrumbs, tossing to coat them well. Transfer the breadcrumbs to a baking sheet, and toast them 10 to 12 minutes, stirring often, until they’re golden brown and crispy.
Note
Step 14
Marinate the pork the day before serving. You can blanch the haricots verts and cut the spring onions ahead of time, but cook them while the pork is resting. The mustard breadcrumbs can be made a few hours ahead of time.
