Monday, November 8, 2010

Crockpot pork loin with thyme apple sauce and mint leaves - Featured on Group Recipes

I love the result of this recipe for pork. As a mint leaf lover, I always wanted to look for new ways of pairing it. I have seen meat dishes that go with mint leave sauce (lamb usually) but not with fresh mint leaves. I only eat fresh mint leaves with curry laksa or assam laksa, two local dishes, but not with a western dish before. The practice of using fresh herns and leafy vegetables with a main dish is common in Thailand and Vietnam. Basil leaves, mint, coriander, banana palm heart, young leaves of cashew tree, and pepper leaves are all used like a free form salad, served fresh and plain with several types of main dishes. I wish I had known that mint would go so well with pork loin. Take a bite of the meat with this rich sauce recipe sauce together with a few pieces of mint leaves……MMMM…. a burst of flavor! This recipe is good to be served to guests as a main meal for dinner. I served it with caramelized carrots, mashed potatos, and a glass of inexpensive but approachable Australian Cabernet.



Ingredients:

1 pc 500gm pork loin with the fat on
1 tb olive oil
2 cups of mint leaves

(A)
1 medium white onion, section into 6
6 bibs of roasted garlic
3 sprigs of thyme
1 tb caraway seeds
1 tb black pepper corn
5 cups chicken stock
2 red apples, take out core and seeds, diced

Method:

Heat olive oil in pan and seared the pork loin. Add (A) and the now seared pork loin into crock pot or slow cooker pot. Cook on high for 2 hours and low for an additional hour. Dish out the pork loin and cut into ½ in thick slices (or fork sized pulled chunks if you have family members that prefer to use chopsticks). Pour the pan juices and the rest of the sauce ingredients into the blender and blend well. Sieve the sauce into a sauce pot. Bring to simmer and stirring frequently reduce the volume by half. Spread mint leaves on the serving plate and place slices of pork loin on top. Pour sauce over and serve.

24 comments:

  1. Mmmmmmmm I have only just had breakfast and now I am hungry again!! Diane

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  2. Diane,
    hahaha, if you are, that means picture of the dish is doing its work. Thanks so much for being so supportive.

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  3. I was looking for great blogs this weekend to put on my blog roll and love yours so much I added it to mine. Keep the posts coming!

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  4. Chef Thomas Minchella,
    Thanks for your visit and adding my blog to yours. You are very kind.

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  5. What a wondeful recipe - I was just searching for a new recipe for pork loin and so so lucky I saw this! Thank you for dropping by this weekend - I love meeting new bloggers and so thriled it led me to your delicious blog! :)

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  6. Hi Jude,
    I am glad you found what you are looking for and thanks for your visit and your comment. I love meeting new friends too:D

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  7. Veronica, What a delicious dish! And beautiful presentation :)

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  8. Thanks Aldy,
    Nice to see you here and reading your comments.

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  9. Quay Po nice to find some wonderful new recipes to follow. My husband will be thrilled!

    Following from Bloggy Moms

    http://1funkywoman.blogspot.com

    Megan

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  10. Hi Megan,
    Thanks so much for the gift at Bloggy Mums and your following. I am always thrilled to have a new follower each time. I love to share the joy of food with all of you.

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  11. Fascinating - I never do see pork paired with mint. But it does look scrumptious and the wonderfully long cooking time must make it incredible tender. the thyme applesauce is perfect.

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  12. Claudia,
    I did not know it paired so well either!

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  13. Hi there, thanks for stopping by my blog earlier and nice to meet someone local too! ^_^ It was fun reading your profile. haha... and you have such a lovely blog. Will scroll around after this. You bet! I'm your newest follower. Hope to hear from you more often. Have a fabulous evening.
    Cheers, Kristy

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  14. Kristy,
    Thanks for checking out my blog and I appreciate very much your following. I hope you will always find something here to delight you on your visits:D I love being connected with local bloggers and so glad to have you as my foodie friend:D

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  15. Like you, I only eat mint leaves with curry laksa or assam laksa. Your creation looks so flavourful! Yum!!

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  16. This looks so good; you photo is wonderful and I can almost taste it.

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  17. Hi Food 4 tots,
    It is good to know you find mu creation yummy and hope you will try it soon.

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  18. Rita,
    I recieves your compliment with thanks. When you do taste it, do come back and let me know how you like it.

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  19. Oh, my goodness, that's gorgeous, and sounds really delicious.

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  20. Serene,
    The left overs make great sandwiches!

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  21. Oh my goodness! That pork dish looks so good! I love mint leaves too but like you, cannot find much use for it except in laksa.

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  22. Jeannie,
    So good to see you again. You must try this, you will not regret it.

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  23. Pork and apples are one of my favorite combinations. The addition of mint sounds interesting. Will try this out soon. Thanks! Nice pic too!

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  24. Hi Ping,
    I am glad you will try this out, I hope to get your feedback.

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