Roasted Pork Rack With Zucchini Fritters Recipes

ROASTED RACK OF PORK

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. If you are short on time, you can cook the pork at temperatures up to 350 degrees F; however, slower and lower cooking results in more tender and juicy meat.
• To prepare the pork for cooking, set the pork on a baking sheet and score the skin into a criss-cross pattern. Be sure to only score the fat and not deep enough to cut into the meat. Scoring exposes more fat to the heat, which results in more fat being rendered during cooking.
• Bring the vinegar, sugar and 5 cups water to a boil in a saucepan; then add the baking soda and bring back up to a boil. Carefully pour the boiling liquid over the skin of the roast. Pat the skin dry and discard the liquid. Next, rub the grapeseed and olive oils all over the pork; then rub the pork with the rosemary and thyme. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Place the pork in a roasting pan and transfer to the oven. Cook, uncovered, until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F, about 1 1/2 hours.
• When done, remove the pork from the pan and transfer it to a rack set over a baking sheet. Cover with vented foil and let rest for at least 15 minutes (the internal temp will increase by at least 5 or 10 degrees).

PORK AND ZUCCHINI WITH ORZO

Steps:

• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Butterfly the pork: Slice lengthwise down the center, stopping about 1/2 inch before cutting through the meat. Open the pork like a book and flatten slightly with your hands. Lay a piece of plastic wrap on top and pound with the flat side of a meat mallet or a skillet until 1/2 inch thick.
• Put the pork and zucchini in a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, the lemon zest, cumin, coriander, 1 teaspoon salt and the cayenne and toss; let sit 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the orzo to the boiling water and cook as the label directs. Drain and rinse under cold water. Transfer to a bowl; add the tomatoes, parsley, lemon juice, the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt; toss.
• Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium high. Grill the pork and zucchini, flipping once, until the pork is cooked through and the zucchini is tender, about 12 minutes for the pork and 14 minutes for the zucchini. Slice the pork on an angle and serve with the zucchini, orzo and lemon wedges.