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In order to continue the series of extremely simple, but delicious and versatile recipes that can be cooked at home, today I want to present you a Pork Roast recipe, which is cooked in the oven at a lower temperature, thus using the Slow cooking method into the oven.
For this recipe you do not need special equipment, the preparation of this pork loin in the oven being extremely simple, and I guarantee you that the result will be incredible, both adults and children will love it.
So, let’s see how we can easily obtain, in our own kitchen, without effort, Roasted Pork Loin or even Rolled Pork Loin, baked into the oven.
The best way to get a tender roasted pork loin
I know that there are countries where pork is not consumed, and I understand the arguments behind this culinary custom. Therefore, I accept cultural, religious, culinary or any other type of diversity.
In our family, we eat pork, less often than chicken or turkey, but this happens exclusively because of Sofia’s culinary preferences. And why is that? I think that the main argument is the texture of the meat. That is, well-cooked chicken or turkey has a softer texture than pork or beef. Thus, pork is consumed in our family only if it is cooked using the Slow cooking method, because then it becomes soft enough, if it is minced and used in various dishes such as lasagna, peppers stuffed with meat and vegetables or Cabbage Rolls filled with meat or if it is properly marinated before cooking, which also helps a lot in achieving a tender meat.
A super easy and delicious recipe based on ground meat is this amazing Meatballs Soup, which is nourishing, healthy and enjoyed by kids.
If you are looking for a super easy and delicious kids friendly meal based on poultry and vegetables, you should try this amazing Romanian Peas and Chicken Stew. Also, check out this fabulous Slow Cooked Whole Chicken, to find out how to cook a delicious and tender marinated whole chicken, without any effort.
If you are in a similar situation and you are looking for methods to obtain tender pork, I recommend you to try the cooking method that I chose to present to you today, namely slow cooking into the oven.
Using this method, you can get whole pork loin or rolled pork loin filled with veggies, without worrying that the meat will be too tough. In addition, if you have the possibility to use cast iron pot, you do not have to worry about the fact that the meat could stick to the bottom of the cooking pot, and at the same time you will have the guarantee that the roast meat will be cooked evenly.
I recently purchased this cast iron pot from Crock Pot, but you can find many other brands on the market that make this type of cookware and I am extremely satisfied with the results. Practically, these pots give you the opportunity to fry, bake, roast, a lot of dishes. From homemade bread, to stews or roasted meat, everything becomes simple, and the flavors spread inside the cooking pot, giving the final dish a fabulous taste.
But these iron cast pots are also of several types, I will talk to you about two of them, namely enameled or regular iron cast pots.
The vessel that I use for this recipe is an enameled iron cast pot, because it seems to me that it is easier to maintain such a cooking vessel. Why? Because it can be washed and cleaned easily. Therefore, the only advantage that I would mention when making the difference between enameled and regular iron cast cookware refers to the ease of cleaning and maintenance.
Using iron cast cookware for steaks, I guarantee that you will get tender dishes, simmered in incredible aromas, without having to intervene too much in the cooking process. Basically, if we are talking about roasted pork loin, as in today’s recipe, you need to fry until brown a piece of boneless pork loin using oil or lard (you already know that I prefer to use lard), then place the baking dish in the oven and let the meat penetrate and cook evenly.
During the cooking process, I recommend basting the meat with its own juice from the cooking pot, but not very often. It is enough to do this once or twice, because if you lift the lid many times, you risk cooking the meat unevenly.
How long to cook roasted pork loin?
As I said before, when we talk about meat, and in this case about whole pork loin, but the same is suitable for rolled pork loin, I always choose to use the slow cooking method, because this way I am sure that the cooked meat will be tender and soft, as Sofia prefers. But this requires cooking at a low temperature, either using a slow cooker or cooking in the oven, as I present to you in today’s recipe.
If you still choose to cook traditionally, at a temperature of 180o C-200o C (356o F – 392o F), then obviously there is no need to keep the meat in the oven so long, most likely in about an hour it will be sufficiently cooked.
But, if you choose to cook using the slow cooking method, like me, then I recommend using lower temperatures, between 150o C-170o C (302o F – 338o F).
For today’s recipe – but I did the same in the case of rolled pork loin – for roasted pork loin, I chose to cook in an iron cast pot from Crock Pot for 3 hours, at a temperature of 170o C (338o F). In the last 20 minutes, I removed the lid and I let the meat brown a little on the surface.
By cooking rolled pork loin in this way, it is most likely that you will not get a perfectly defined section when you slice it, because the meat will be quite soft and will not allow you to section it in a perfect manner. But for me, the soft texture is more important than the perfect appearance of the rolled pork loin slice.
Regarding whole pork loin, things are similar, so when you cut the piece of meat, it will be soft, tender and juicy, and I don’t think you will be able to get a perfect slice, like at a restaurant. But then again, that’s not the point of this recipe.
If you choose to use this recipe to cook roasted pork loin with the help of a slow cooker, you can follow the steps described below without problems, cooking for 3.5 Hours, at the High temperature of the cooking device, and then transfer the meat (with or without vegetables, depending on your preferences) in the oven, to brown a little on the surface.
So, whether you choose to cook in the oven or in a slow cooker, in about 3 Hours you can get a fabulous roasted pork loin, without effort, with a soft, tender and juicy texture, ideal for children who prefer well-cooked meat.
Is roasted pork loin healthy?
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, I understand that, for various reasons based on ideological, cultural or religious arguments, there are countries where pork is not consumed. However, in Europe, and especially in Eastern Europe, pork is a basic ingredient in traditional cuisine. Thus, our family consumes pork, from pigs raised ecologically in small farms.
What I like to do with all types of meat, especially when we are talking about cooking whole pieces of meat, is to marinate the meat a day before cooking. In this way, I make sure that all the flavors used for the marinade will penetrate deep into the meat, having an important role both in the final texture of the culinary preparation, as well as in the wonderful taste and aroma that will be achieved after the cooking process.
So, for today’s marinade I chose to use extremely simple ingredients, such as olive oil, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic and a little homemade ketchup. It seems all these ingredients, mixed together, offer all that you need to obtain a simple but extremely tasty marinade, suitable for whole pork loin or any other type of pork.
I recommend leaving the meat covered with this marinade in the refrigerator overnight, preferably in an sealed bag, or in a bowl covered with a lid.
Obviously, you can play with the tastes and aromas when it comes to the marinade used for meat. As I showed you in the article about Honey Mustard Salmon recipe, the marinating can be done in many combinations of aromas and tastes, the marinade is a versatile preparation, available to anyone, allowing you to choose the ingredients you prefer or those at your disposal.
Let’s take one by one the ingredients used for today’s roasted pork loin recipe, both those needed to obtain the marinade and those used in the cooking process, and see what benefits they have on our body, but especially on the development of children, because after all, we are talking about a kidsfriendly recipe.
- Garlic: A Potent Immune Booster
Garlic is renowned for its health-promoting properties. It contains compounds like allicin, known for their antibacterial and antiviral effects, which can help bolster a child’s immune system. Regular consumption of garlic may reduce the severity and frequency of colds and other infections, keeping kids healthier and more active. Take into account that in this particular recipe, garlic is used as a marinade ingredient, but also for the homemade ketchup.
- Tomatoes: Rich in Antioxidants
Tomatoes – the basic ingredient for homemade ketchup – are a fantastic source of antioxidants, including lycopene, which is known for its heart health benefits and ability to protect skin from sun damage. They are also rich in vitamin C, potassium, and folate, essential nutrients for a child’s overall health and development.
- Red Peppers: Vitamin C Powerhouses
Red peppers – an important ingredient for homemade ketchup – are one of the richest sources of vitamin C, even surpassing oranges. This vitamin is crucial for the growth and repair of tissues, aids in iron absorption, and supports a healthy immune system. Red peppers also provide vitamin A, which is important for vision and skin health.
- Onions: Layers of Benefits
Onions – also used for homemade ketchup – are packed with antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties. They contain quercetin, which can help alleviate allergy symptoms and improve respiratory health. Onions also offer a good amount of vitamin C and certain B vitamins, contributing to overall wellness.
- Olive Oil: Heart-Healthy Fats
Olive oil – used in any marinade recipes – is a cornerstone of healthy eating, providing monounsaturated fats that are beneficial for heart health. It’s also rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Using olive oil in cooking can help ensure kids get healthy fats essential for brain development and overall growth.
- Red Paprika: A Spice with Substance
Red paprika, made from ground sweet red peppers, is more than just a spice. It’s high in vitamins A and E, antioxidants that support eye health and protect against oxidative stress. Paprika also adds a mild, sweet flavor to dishes, making it a kid-friendly spice.
So, if we analyze all this information, garlic, tomatoes, red peppers, onions, olive oil, and red paprika are not just ingredients that add flavor, besides salt and black pepper, to our meals; they are nutritional powerhouses that can significantly contribute to a healthy and balanced diet for children. Incorporating these ingredients into kids’ meals is a delicious way to support their development and well-being.
Oven cooked Roasted Pork Loin Recipe
Roasted Pork Loin – Cooking Roast Pork in the Oven Simple and Delicious
Equipment
- 1 Iron Cast Pot / Oven cooking tray / Slow cooker
- 1 Bowl with lid / Sealed bags
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Whole pork loin
- 3-4 Garlic cloves
- 4 tbsp Homemade ketchup
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Sweet paprika
- Optional: carrots, potatoes, rosemary
Instructions
- First, let’s prepare the marinade. For this, we need to make a mixture of olive oil, salt, black pepper, sweet paprika and crushed garlic cloves;
- Once mixed together, add the homemade ketchup and incorporate it into the mixture made earlier;
- Now, clean and wash the whole pork loin with cold water and use paper towels to absorb excess water from the surface of the meat;
- Sprinkle salt, black pepper and sweet paprika over the pork loin;
- Then, start brushing the meat with the marinade until you cover every spot;
- Place the pork loin covered with marinade in a sealed bag or in a bowl covered with lid and place it into the refrigerator overnight;
- TIP: If you want to make a rolled pork loin filled with vegetables, you have to cut the meat so that you get a strip of meat, which you can later roll and fill with sauteed vegetables;
- Now, let’s start to cook this whole pork loin. First of all, place the iron cast pot on the stove and heat it.
- Then, place a tsp of lard or pour 2 tbsp of vegetable oil in the heated iron cast pot;
- Place the marinated pork loin into the iron cast pot and let it fry for 2-3 minutes on each side;
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven at 170℃ (338℉);
- Once the pork loin gets a brown crust on every side, pour 1 glass of water and add 2 bay leaves into the pot;
- Cover the iron cast pot with the lid and place it into the preheated oven;
- Cook the pork loin for 3 Hours at 170℃ (338℉); Once or twice, during the cooking process, lift the lid and grease the meat with its own juice from the pot;
- If you want to cook roasted pork loin with veggies, during the cooking of the roasted pork loin, peel and cut into cubes some potatoes and carrots, season them with olive oil, salt, black pepper and rosemary and place them into the iron cast pot from the oven in the last hour of cooking;
- In the last 20 minutes of the cooking time, remove the lid and roast the pork loin;
- Leave the roasted pork loin to cool for at least 30 minutes before starting to slice it;
- Serve the roasted pork loin with veggies and a pickled salad.
Nutrition
Roasted Rolled Pork Loin video recipe
If you need help in cooking this amazing roasted pork loin in the oven, I suggest you to watch the roasted rolled pork loin video recipe below, which involves the same steps.
Keep in mind that if you decide to cook a rolled pork loin, filled with vegetables, you have to cut the pork loin so that you get a strip of meat, and only after that you can marinade the meat. Before roasting it, stir fry some vegetables (onions, red pepper, carrots – cut into julienne) and add some shredded cheese before rolling the meat.
Roast it and then enjoy it with some mashed potatoes or Potatoes au Gratin, as a side dish. Don’t forget to use a fresh or pickled salad, like Roasted Red Peppers, to complement the delicious pork main course.
I hope you will try this amazing delicious and tender pork loin recipe. I am very curious to find out what you think about it. So, don’t forget to share your thoughts, reviews and suggestions in the comments section.
Until the next easy and delicious homemade recipe here on easeyourcooking.com, I wish you all a great time spent your loved ones. Bye 😊
