Ingredients
Brine:
- 3 cups water
- 1/4 cup smashed garlic
- 1/4 cup amber agave syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red chile flakes
- 1 tablespoon peppercorns
- 1/3 cup kosher salt
- 6 cups ice, or enough to yield 10 cups total liquid
- 1 (4-pound) bone-in pork loin with 8 bones
Pesto Filling:
- 1/2 cup pesto, homemade or your favorite store-bought brand
- 2 teaspoons crushed red chile flakes
- 1/4 cup minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon freshly cracked black pepper
Roasting Vegetables Base:
- 2 onions, peeled and roughly chopped
- 2 cups roughly chopped carrots
- 2 cups roughly chopped parsnips
- 2 cups halved Brussels sprouts
- 1/ 4 to 1/2 cup garlic, peeled and smashed
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups chicken stock
Finish Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions
For the brine: To a large pot, add the water and bring to a boil. Once at a boil, add the garlic, agave syrup, red chile flakes, peppercorns, and salt and turn off the heat. Once slightly cooled, add the mixture to a large container and add 6 cups ice to yield about 10 cups liquid. Add the pork and submerge. Place into the refrigerator for about 2 to 3 hours. Remove and rinse under cool water; pat dry with paper towels.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
On a steady cutting board (place a couple of damp paper towels under it to keep it from moving around), stand the roast up with the bones up and the loin down. With a sharp, thin knife, slice carefully along the bones, separating the eye of the loin from the bones, but leaving the loin still attached on the bottom. Continue butterflying and slowly roll out, creating a large flat surface for the pesto to easily spread on.
For the pesto filling: In a small bowl, combine the pesto, chile flakes, garlic, salt and pepper. Mix well and spread this mixture evenly on the inside of the rolled out loin. Carefully roll back up. Cut a 2 to 3-inch slit in between the bones. Truss the roast with kitchen string in between the bones and around the roast. This will help the roast cook evenly.
For the roasting vegetables base: In a heavy, large roasting pan, add the onions, carrots, parsnips, Brussels sprouts, and smashed garlic and toss to combine. Place the tied pork roast on a v-rack over the vegetables, tent with heavy duty aluminum foil, and roast in the oven until the internal temperature reads 145 to 150 degrees F, 2 1/2 to 3 hours. About 3/4 of the way through the cooking process remove the foil, this will help the pork brown up a bit. Remove from the oven, tent with foil, and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes to rest and carry over cooking for another 5 to 10 degrees F. Place the roasting pan over medium-high heat and add 1 1/2 to 2 cups chicken stock and bring to a boil. Allow to boil and reduce for 5 minutes.
To finish: Strain the vegetables and place onto a serving platter. Finish the sauce with about 2 tablespoons butter and remove from the heat.
Remove the kitchen string and slice the pork into 1 1/2-inch thick pieces. Serve immediately with the vegetables and pan sauce.
1 Video | Photo: Birthday Pork Roast Recipe

















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By Jensoid
Austin, Tx
on April 14, 2013
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I opted for 6 bones rather than 8 and the weight came out to just over 6lbs. Like other reviews, I also waited an hour before I put the root veggie into the roasting pan, but added salt/pepper and mixed it with EVO. As per recipe, I allotted myself 3 hrs for roasting. I inserted the thermometer probe in the thickest part of the roast, dead center, making sure I didn't hit any bones. Put the roast in at medium low in the oven at 350 degrees after having it in the brine for 2.5hrs. My roast was ready in an 1.5 hrs, no where near the 3 hrs called for in the recipe and my roast was 2 lbs heavier, what's with that? I let the roast rest and then decided to carve the chops out and plate on the serving platter with the roasted veggies, wrapped the serving platter with foil and put it back in the oven at 175 degrees.. My guests weren't ready to arrive for another hour. So, I would question the time on this puppy in the recipe.
By marleneatsa_3500279
Concord, CA
on June 03, 2012
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This came out wonderful. Very tasty. Will definitely make again. But has anyone tried it with a pork tenderloin. thanks
By lynchbe_12823598
El Dorado, 43
on April 07, 2012
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I made it for my Christmas Party and everyone loved it. Have made it twice since then and its hit a home run each time. Try cooking in the BBQ it adds a totally different dimension to it.
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