Pesto Pork With Polenta Food

PORCHETTA AND POLENTA

Steps:

• Prepare the pork: To butterfly, slice down the middle of the pork with a sharp knife, about two-thirds of the way through. Open the meat like a book and pound with a mallet or heavy skillet into a 1-inch-thick rectangle, about
• 8 by 14 inches. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Season the pork with about 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. In a small bowl, mix the lemon zest, garlic, 2 teaspoons fennel seeds, the sage, rosemary and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Rub the mixture all over the pork, then roll it up tightly and tie with twine. Drizzle the roll with olive oil and rub all over; sprinkle with pepper and more fennel seeds. (The roll can be prepared up to 3 days in advance; refrigerate until roasting.)
• Place the pork roll on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Roast until a thermometer inserted into the middle registers 180 degrees and the pork is crusty on the outside, about 2 hours. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing.
• While the pork roasts, make the pickled onions: Bring the vinegar, sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, the bay leaf, fennel seeds and red pepper flakes to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion slices and simmer 1 minute, then remove from the heat and let the onion cool in the liquid. (Leftover pickled onions will keep in the liquid for weeks.)
• Prepare the polenta: Place a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and fry the polenta until golden and crisp, about 4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. To assemble, arrange the polenta on a platter or individual plates. Thinly slice the pork roll, then cut into bite-size pieces and pile on the polenta. Top with pickled onions and serve warm or at room temperature.

PORK MARSALA WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Lay the polenta slices on a baking sheet and brush the tops with 1 tablespoon olive oil; season generously with salt and pepper. Broil until browned around the edges and crisp, 12 to 14 minutes.
• Meanwhile, season the pork with salt and pepper. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the pork and cook until browned, about 2 minutes per side; remove to a plate. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, the mushrooms, sliced garlic, shallot and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms brown in spots, 6 to 8 minutes. Sprinkle with the flour and cook, stirring, about 30 seconds. Add the chicken broth and wine; bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
• Return the pork and any juices to the skillet. Cook over low heat until the pork is cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the orange juice and season with salt and pepper.
• Combine the orange zest, parsley and minced garlic in a small bowl. Divide the polenta among plates. Top with the pork, mushroom sauce and parsley mixture.

PORK WITH ROSEMARY POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Combine the mustard, vinegar, chopped rosemary and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a bowl; brush all over the pork. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast until a thermometer registers 145 degrees F, about 15 minutes. Transfer the pork to a cutting board and let rest.
• Wipe out the skillet. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, the garlic and red pepper flakes; cook over medium heat, 2 minutes. Add the broccoli, 1/4 cup water and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover; cook 5 minutes.
• Bring 3 cups water, the milk, rosemary sprig and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat; discard the rosemary. Whisk in the polenta and cook, whisking, until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the parmesan. Slice the pork and serve with the broccoli and polenta.

PESTO PORK

Steps:

• Cut pork loin into 1/2-inch slices.
• Place flour in a shallow dish.
• Season pork medallions with salt and pepper, then place in flour and coat evenly on both sides.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add pork and cook in batches for 2-4 minutes per side, or until golden, adding more butter as needed.
• Remove pork to a covered platter to keep warm.
• Add cream and pesto to skillet; mix well.
• Add tomatoes and cook 3-5 minutes, or until thoroughly heated.
• Pour over pork medallions and serve.