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Getting together with loved ones feels extra special right now. Make sure
the food lives up to the occasion with this stylish but super simple recipe
Best of the lunch: classic roast crackling pork
here are many fine words in the English language, but “summer” and “lunch” must be two of any cook’s favourites.
Time spent relaxing around a table with family, friends and food is, hands down, the best.
With that in mind, Tesco executive chef Jamie Robinson has a Tesco Finest crackling pork loin joint in his immediate future.
“I love sharing food,” he says. “When we have people round, I rarely plate individual dishes.
“We’re on a farm here, it’s lovely and sunny, we’ve got our tables outside and it’s great to be able to set up a big selection of beautiful dishes for the family to all dig into.
“The crackling joint looks impressive when it’s carved, and there’s plenty to go round.”
The versatility of a Tesco Finest crackling pork loin joint – from British and outdoor-bred pigs, hand-scored by expertly trained butchers – means it works with myriad sunshine flavours.
“Sunblush tomato paste rubbed on the pork is brilliant. It’s perfect for Asian food too, so you could do the same with gochujang, miso paste, chilli paste, sriracha sauce.”
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Classic roast crackling pork
Jamie Robinson
INGREDIENTS (SERVES 6)
• 1 Tesco Finest crackling pork loin joint
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled
and thinly sliced
• 5 sage leaves
METHOD
Pierce five holes in the bottom of the pork loin, about an inch deep, using a small knife.
Push a sage leaf into each hole and then a couple of the slices of garlic.
If possible, put the pork on a plate in the fridge the night before cooking and allow it to dry out, uncovered, overnight.
Season the crackling generously with table salt and put into a preheated oven at 225C/205C fan/gas mark 7 for 15-20 mins or until you start to see the edges of the crackling pop.
Drop the oven down to 170C/150C fan/gas mark 3 and roast for 35-40 minutes until the juices run clear.
Rest the joint for 20-30 minutes and scrape off any
excess salt.
To carve, turn the joint over so it’s crackling side down and slice using a serrated carving knife, if you have one. This will help produce even slices.
T
INGREDIENTS (SERVES 6)
• 12 good-sized Maris Piper or red-skinned potatoes
• Vegetable oil to drizzle
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 400g tomatoes, diced
• 1 courgette, diced
Peel the potatoes and cut each one into three pieces. Place in a pan of cold salted water, bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and cook until the potatoes are just cooked and fluffy on the outside.
Drain the potatoes and coat in a drizzle of vegetable oil, the paprika, garlic and seasoning. Roast in a 220C/200C fan/gas mark 7 oven, turning them every 15 mins until they are crispy all the way round.
In the last 10-15 mins, add the diced tomatoes, courgette, aubergines, anchovies and olives.
If you like, shave Manchego over the finished dish using a vegetable peeler.
Mediterranean roast vegetables
with anchovies and olives
METHOD
Intensely sweet and aromatic, these make a summery salad tossed with red spring onion, olive oil and grain mustard. Add shredded sage to echo Jamie’s roast pork.
Come together with Tesco Finest
crackling pork loin joint this summer
Photography: MING TANG-EVANS/STUDIO PI. FOOD Styling: Vicki SMALLWOOD FOR BRIDGE STUDIO
The crackling joint looks impressive when it’s carved, and there’s plenty to go round
Tesco executive chef
Do you usually do honey and mustard with pork? Jamie switches out the honey for apple sauce, with English mustard and a drizzle of oil. “It’s sweet and spicy but still gentle,” he says. “It’s a twist on a great classic.”
For starters or sides, Tesco Finest has all bases covered, from vintage cheddar & caramelised onion quiche to Tesco Finest sourdough – which Jamie fries in foaming organic salted butter to make crisp croutons and adds to Tesco Finest Piccobella tomatoes and freshly torn basil for a simple yet luxurious salad.
Tesco wine expert Charlotte Lemoine advises lining up a wine you love to mark an occasion.
“If you’re having a picnic or summer party, you’ll want a great wine to celebrate with,” she says.
“And I’d recommend Tesco Finest Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG. There are a few areas in the Prosecco region that have heightened status in terms of quality and Valdobbiadene is one of those.
“The grapes grow on a hill, so the wine benefits from more sunshine and a greater depth of flavour, as well as a freshness and delicacy. It’s fruit forward with nice bubbles; it suits the occasion perfectly.”
As the meal progresses, she says, a soft red, such as Tesco Finest Valle De Colchagua Merlot, would work well with the pork, while Tesco Finest Provence Rosé “puts you in the summer mood”.
Then only a couple of jobs remain. Carve the pork, reglaze with the roasting juices and bring to the table, where there’ll be a fight for the crackling. Our tip? Grab a piece before you leave the kitchen...
Charlotte Lemoine
Tesco wine expert
A soft red would
work well with the pork, while rosé
always puts you in the summer mood
“When I want the pork to do all the talking, my recipe can be as simple as some great sea salt on top of the crackling,” says Jamie.
“I love to add a little bit of garlic and fresh sage, too, which gives it a lovely flavour throughout and complements the pork without overpowering it.
“Doing this the night before, if you can, helps produce really crunchy crackling. For a super-summery variation, rub the meat (not the crackling) with sunblush tomato paste, miso or sriracha chilli sauce instead.”
“This one-tray side reminds me of patatas bravas or a Provençal bake, and we often serve it at home with a pork crackling joint,” says Jamie.
“The tomatoes start to pop and burst and the courgettes steam. Carve the pork and serve it over the bake, dressed with the vegetable juices.”
Great sides
Spain’s best-known cheese is made from the milk of sheep that graze La Mancha’s vast plains. It’s firm, with a sweet, nutty flavour; great when shaved over Jamie’s veg.
A great veggie centrepiece with balsamic
red onions, extra mature cheddar and a
little nutmeg in a killer filling; lovely with a tomato salad.
Rolled by hand, with a bright and fresh
element. Jamie says, “If you’re having dessert after pork, it’s good to have something fruity and zingy.”
Tesco Finest Alphonso mango
& passion fruit roulades
Tesco Finest vintage cheddar
& caramelised onion quiche
Tesco Finest Manchego
Tesco Finest Piccobella tomatoes
For vegetarian guests, just leave out the anchovies.
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Do you usually do honey and mustard with pork? Jamie switches out the honey for apple sauce, with English mustard and a drizzle of oil. “It’s sweet and spicy but still gentle,” he says. “It’s a twist on a great classic.”
For starters or sides, Tesco Finest has all bases covered, from vintage cheddar & caramelised onion quiche to Tesco Finest sourdough – which Jamie fries in foaming organic salted butter to make crisp croutons and adds to Tesco Finest Piccobella tomatoes and freshly torn basil for a simple yet luxurious salad.
Tesco wine expert Charlotte Lemoine advises lining up a wine you love to mark an occasion.
“If you’re having a picnic or summer party, you’ll want a great wine to celebrate with,” she says.
“And I’d recommend Tesco Finest Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG. There are a few areas in the Prosecco region that have heightened status in terms of quality and Valdobbiadene is one of those.
“The grapes grow on a hill, so the wine benefits from more sunshine and a greater depth of flavour, as well as a freshness and delicacy. It’s fruit forward with nice bubbles; it suits the occasion perfectly.”
As the meal progresses, she says, a soft red, such as Tesco Finest Valle De Colchagua Merlot, would work well with the pork, while Tesco Finest Provence Rosé “puts you in the summer mood”.
Then only a couple of jobs remain. Carve the pork, reglaze with the roasting juices and bring to the table, where there’ll be a fight for the crackling. Our tip? Grab a piece before you leave the kitchen...
• 1 aubergine, diced
• 4 anchovy fillets, drained and chopped
• Handful of olives
• Tesco Finest Manchego Gran Reserva, optional
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