BRINED PORK PORTERHOUSE WITH DRIED FIG SABA SAUCE

Brined Pork Porterhouse with Dried Fig Saba Sauce image

Provided by Anne Burrell

Time P1DT2h10m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

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2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon sugar
6 fresh sage leaves, torn
3 cloves garlic, smashed
2 bay leaves
Two 18-ounce pork porterhouse steaks
Pinch crushed red pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup saba
8 ounces dried Black Mission figs, stemmed and cut into quarters
4 ounces pancetta, cut into 1/4-inch dice
Extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped
2 sprigs fresh rosemary, finely chopped
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 cup chicken stock
Kosher salt

Steps:

For the pork: Combine the salt, sugar, sage, garlic, bay leaves and 2 quarts water. Submerge the pork in the brine and refrigerate for 24 hours before cooking.
When ready to cook, remove the pork from the brine and discard the brine. Let the pork come to room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before cooking. Pat dry.
Meanwhile, for the sauce: Combine the saba and figs and let sit for 1 hour.
Toss the pancetta into a small saute pan, give a little drizzle of oil and bring the pan to a medium heat. When the pancetta starts to brown and crisp, toss in the garlic and rosemary and stir to combine.
Add the saba, figs and vinegar. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the chicken stock and bring the mixture back to a boil (BTB) and then reduce it to a simmer (RTS). Simmer the sauce until it becomes a chunky, saucy consistency. Season with salt.
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
Sprinkle the pork with crushed red pepper and a drizzle of oil. Grill the pork for 8 to 9 minutes on each side and 1 to 2 minutes standing it up on the fat edge to crisp that up. If the pork starts to burn, move it to a cooler spot on the grill.
Let the pork rest for 10 to 15 minutes after grilling. Cut each steak off the bone and slice. Be sure to serve the bone along with the steaks.
Serve garnished with the sauce.