Best Portuguese Pork Loin Recipes

ROASTED PORTUGUESE PORK LOIN WITH HOMEMADE PIMENTA MOIDA

Steps:

• Using a sharp knife, score the fat on the top of the roast in a crosshatch pattern, cutting just into the meat layer so the marinade can penetrate it. Place the roast in a baking pan and season on all sides with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Pat the garlic all over the roast, then coat on all sides with the pimenta moida, rubbing the seasonings into the slits on the top of the roast. Sprinkle the cilantro all over the roast, then drizzle with 1/2 cup of the oil, and rub all the seasonings to evenly distribute. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
• Allow the roast to come to room temperature, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Transfer the roast to a baking pan large enough to hold it and the potatoes in one layer. Drizzle some of the marinade juices over the top of the roast. Place the potatoes in the first pan and toss with the remaining marinade. Add the potatoes and marinade to the roast, arranging the potatoes around it; sprinkle the potatoes with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pinch of pepper, and drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Roast the pork until lightly golden and the slits on top of the roast have opened up, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the roast registers 140 degrees F, 35 to 40 minutes longer. Remove from the oven and set aside to rest at least 15 minutes before serving. (If the potatoes are not yet golden around the edges and cooked through, transfer the roast to a plate, then return the potatoes to the oven and roast for 10 to 15 minutes longer while the meat rests.) Carve the roast into thin slices and serve with the potatoes, drizzling any pan drippings over the pork.

PORTUGUESE PORK LOIN SANDWICH (BIFES DE PORCO)

Steps:

• 1. In a pyrex casserole, sprinkle half of the chopped garlic, pepper flakes, salt and a dash of vinegar.
• 2. Layer with the fillets and alternate the ingredients between layers. Cover and place in the fridge over night or in an hour if to be made on same day.
• 3. Heat up the oil in a heavy pan at medium heat. Lower if the first fillet starts splashing too much.
• 4. Preheat the oven at 350 degrees.
• 5. Place as many fillets in the pan and let cook about 4 minutes on each side or until lightly browned.
• 6. When the first batch of fillets are cooked place in a casserole and put in the warm oven.
• 7. Once all fillets are fried, place the sliced onion in the pan with the same oil used for the fillets on medium heat.
• 8. Once onions are browned, add the tomato paste and stir until the oil has a red tinge. Pour about 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar and let it burn off for about 2 minutes. Take off heat.
• 9. Remove the fillets from the oven and pour the onion mixture over the fillets. You may put in the oven on BROIL for 2 minutes to caramelize the onion.
• 10. Serve the fillets in a toasted and crusty bun.

PORTUGUESE PORK LOIN

Steps:

• Season tenderloin with salt, pepper and paprika. Saute pork in butter until golden brown. Add sliced onions and mushrooms. Saute for a minute or two. Add wine and rosemary. Cover and cook over low heat for 45 to 60 minutes, or until done. Add lemon juice and parsley just before serving.