Roasted pork loin, which is commonly served on special occasions in Denmark, is here richly flavored with cardamom, juniper berries and currant jelly. Ask the butcher to cut into the chine bone of the rib roast to make it easier to carve. Note that the pork needs to marinate at least 12 hours before roasting, so plan accordingly. Uncork a fruity Merlot to go with it.
Recipe information
Yield
Serves 8
Ingredients
Pork
Sauce
Preparation
For pork:
Step 1
Combine first 10 ingredients in blender. Blend until spices are finely ground, about 2 minutes. Place pork in large glass baking dish. Pour marinade over pork; turn to coat. Arrange bone side up, tent loosely with foil and refrigerate at least 12 hours or overnight.
For sauce:
Step 2
Preheat oven to 350°F. Scrape marinade from pork. Pat pork dry with paper towels. Sprinkle pork generously with 1/2 teaspoon cardamom, salt and pepper. Heat oil in large roasting pan set over 2 burners on medium heat. Add pork and cook until brown, turning occasionally, about 4 minutes.
Step 3
Add wine, prunes, prune juice, brandy, cinnamon sticks and bay leaves to pan. Transfer to oven. Roast uncovered until meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of pork registers 160°F, basting often with pan juices, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Transfer pork and prunes to platter. Tent with foil. Strain pan juices into large glass measuring cup. Spoon 4 tablespoons fat off top of pan juices. Pour pan juices into heavy small saucepan. Add jelly and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cardamom. Simmer until jelly melts and sauce lightly coats spoon, about 8 minutes. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
Step 4
Serve pork with sauce.
