Herb-Crusted Pork Roast with Ginger-Fig Compote

By bjlazyl

Ingredients

• 6 large garlic cloves, smashed and chopped
• 2 teaspoons chopped rosemary
• 2 teaspoons chopped thyme
• 2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard
• 1 teaspoon dried lavender
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• One 1 1/2-pound boneless pork loin roast
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• One 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and very thinly sliced
• 6 allspice berries, cracked
• 6 black peppercorns, cracked
• 8 dried figs, left whole
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup dry red wine
• 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

Details

Servings 6
Preparation time 45mins
Cooking time 95mins
Adapted from foodandwine.com

Preparation

Step 1

In a bowl, combine the garlic, rosemary, thyme, mustard, lavender and 1/4 cup of the olive oil. Add the pork and coat with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight. Bring the pork to room temperature before roasting.

In a small saucepan, combine the water, honey, lemon juice, ginger, allspice and peppercorns and bring to a boil. Add the figs, cover and simmer over low heat until tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let steep for 10 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400°. Scrape the garlic and herbs from the pork and set them aside. Season the pork with salt and pepper. In a medium, ovenproof skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add the pork and cook over moderately high heat until browned all over, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast the pork for about 20 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the meat registers 145° for medium. Transfer the pork to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes.

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the skillet. Add the reserved garlic and herbs and cook over low heat until the garlic is golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the raisins and wine and boil over moderately high heat until the wine is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken broth and boil for 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the figs to the skillet. Simmer over moderate heat until the liquid has reduced to about 1/2 cup, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Carve the pork into 1/2-inch slices and serve with the fig compote.