Walnut-Crusted Roast Pork Loin with A Honeyed Pear Sauce
Looking for a delicious roast dinner with a little something special? This Walnut-Crusted Roast Pork Loin with a Honeyed Pear Sauce is a beautiful combination of juicy roast pork, crunchy walnuts, sweet caramelized pears and a delicious honey glaze.
Equipment
- Stainless steel baking tray *
- 10.25 inch (26 cm) cast iron skillet
- Cutting board
- Chef knife
- Cooking Tongs
Ingredients
- 1 pork loin boneless (4.4 lb / 2kg)
- 1 cup walnuts coarsely ground
- 1 Tbsp dried oregano
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp Nora Pepper or chili pepper for extra spice
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Sweet smoked paprika
- 6 Tbsp honey
- 2 pears cored, thickly sliced
- 3 Tbsp butter cold
- Optional - 1 tsp sherry vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1 - Add Spice Rub to Pork Loin
- In a large baking dish, rub pork with oil on all sides to cover it, and then season generously with dried oregano, garlic powder, white pepper, and salt. Use your hands to rub the seasoning all over the pork on all sides. Leave the pork on the tray with the fat side facing up.1 pork loin, 1 Tbsp dried oregano, 1 Tbsp garlic powder, 1 Tbsp Nora Pepper, 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, Salt and pepper
Step 2 - Roast Pork Loin
- Roast on the middle shelf at 430° F (220° C) for 15 minutes, this high heat will help sear the top of the pork loin.
- Take the pork out of the oven to check the coloring. It should be lightly golden on top, but not burnt.
- Reduce heat to 350° F (175° C) and continue to bake in the oven for 40 minutes. Remove the pork from the oven and set aside to rest.
Step 3 - Prepare Honey Glaze and Walnuts
- Next, we prepare the walnuts and honey glaze. Use a pestle and mortar to loosely crush the walnuts.1 cup walnuts
- In a small bowl combine the honey, a splash of olive oil, sweet smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt. Mix with a spoon until combined then pour over the pork roast.6 Tbsp honey, 1 tsp Sweet smoked paprika
- Sprinkle with the crushed walnuts and return the pork to the oven for another 5 minutes, just enough so the walnuts begin to become golden.
- Remove from the oven and check the meat thermometer registers at least 145° F (63° C).
- Transfer to a platter and tent with foil and let the pork rest for 10 minutes. Keep the cooking juices from the pork.
Step 4 - Prepare Pears and Sauce
- Meanwhile, we prepare the pear sauce. In a skillet over medium heat, add the butter and allow it to melt.3 Tbsp butter
- Add pears and cook for 5 minutes or until pears are golden and fragrant.2 pears
- Next add the pan juices and leftover walnuts from the roast pork oven tray and stir through. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Taste sauce and add a splash of the sherry vinegar as required and stir gently. This will help to balance the sweetness in the sauce.Optional - 1 tsp sherry vinegar
Step 5 - Serve
- Slice the roasted pork loin and add to a plate.
- Drizzle with the sauce and walnuts and place a few slices of the cooked pears on the side.
Notes
How to Calculate Cooking Times for Pork Loin by Weight
Calculating the correct cooking time for your pork loin is important and will make the difference between a juicy perfectly cooked roast, and a dry overcooked chunk of meat. First weigh your uncooked pork loin. Use kitchen scales to check the weight of your uncooked pork loin, or check the packet if it’s labelled. They usually come in sizes of about 2-5 lbs / 1-2.5 kg., and are generally around 3 inches (8cm) in height, and around 12 inches (30cm) in length. Of course, speak to your local butcher should you require a larger or smaller size. General Oven Roasting Formula (at 350°F / 175°C–180°C Fanforced)- Per Pound: Roughly 15-20 minutes per pound.
- Per Kilogram: Roughly 30 minutes per kilogram.