Pork Loin Braised in Milk
This might sound like an unusual combination but it's an easy and delicious way to cook pork. The milk caramelises through the slow, long cooking at low heat and produces a creamy sauce for the meat (you can also cook it in a low oven of 300°F/150°C/GasMark2 if you prefer). Ask your butcher to tie the loin for you if you don't want to do it yourself. Serve it with fried or baked potatoes, or sautéed mushrooms.
1 medium carrot, finely chopped
1 stick of celery, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
4 tbsp tbsp finely chopped parsley
1 sage leaf
1 bay leaf
1 sprig of fresh thyme
1 sprig of fresh rosemary
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1¾ lb (800 g) pork loin in one piece
4 fl oz (125 ml) dry white wine ( (½ cup) )
16 fl oz (500 ml) full fat milk, at room temperature ( (2 cups) )
flour, for dredging
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Combine the shallots, carrot, celery, garlic and parsley in a bowl. Make a bouquet garni by tying the herbs together using cooking string or thread.
Spread a little flour on a plate. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roll the pork in the flour, shaking off any excess. Heat 4 tablespoons of oil in a casserole. Add the pork, turning to brown it evenly on all sides. Stir in the vegetables and herbs and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour in the white wine and cook until it evaporates, 5-6 minutes.
Add the milk (if you like you can heat it to lukewarm before adding). Cover the pan and lower the heat to barely simmering. Cook the pork over very low heat for 2 hours, turning the meat from time to time.
Remove the pork to a side dish. Remove and discard the bouquet garni, pressing it against the side of the casserole to extract all its flavor. Process the remaining vegetables and sauce using a hand blender. If the sauce is too thin you can thicken it by adding a teaspoon of cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons of cold milk and cooking it in the sauce for 2-3 minutes. If it's too thick, dilute using a little hot milk.
Return the pork to the pan and heat through before slicing the meat and serving with the sauce.
