Roast pork with sage pesto and vegetables

For an impressive meal, give this roast pork with sage pesto a go. The secret is in the golden crackling that will have everyone's mouth watering.

Roast pork with sage pesto and vegetables

Serves

6 with leftovers

Prep

20m

Note: + overnight drying & 15 mins resting time

Cooking

1h 20m

Ingredients

  • 2kg Coles Free Range Pork Leg Roast Boneless
  • 2 tbs olive oil
  • 1 tsp sea salt flakes
  • 10 small parsnips, peeled, trimmed
  • 10 Dutch carrots, trimmed, or 10 baby carrots, peeled, halved lengthways
  • 3 small leeks, halved lengthways
  • 1 tbs honey
  • 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbs thyme sprigs
  • 1 cup (250ml) chicken stock
  • Fried sage leaves, to serve

Sage pesto

  • 1/2 cup sage leaves
  • 60g pkt Coles Australian Baby Rocket
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1/2 cup (70g) pistachios, lightly toasted
  • 1/2 cup (40g) finely grated parmesan
  • 2/3 cup (160ml) olive oil or avocado oil

Method

STEP 1

Place the pork on a plate. Pat the rind dry with paper towel. Place in the fridge, uncovered, overnight to dry out the rind.

STEP 2

Preheat oven to 230°C. To make the sage pesto, place the sage, rocket, garlic, pistachio and parmesan in a small food processor and process until finely chopped. Add the oil and process until well combined. Season.

STEP 3

Lay the pork out flat, rind-side down, on a clean work surface. Use a large sharp knife to cut the thick side of the pork horizontally to create a cavity for the pesto. Spread half the pesto over the pork. Roll up the pork to enclose the filling and use kitchen string to tie the pork at 3cm intervals to secure. Place, rind-side up, in a roasting pan. Drizzle with half the oil. Sprinkle with salt flakes. Rub the salt into the rind. 

STEP 4

Roast for 30 mins or until the rind begins to crackle. Reduce the oven temperature to 180°C. Roast for a further 50 mins or until the pork is cooked through. Loosely cover the pork with foil and set aside for 15 mins to rest.

STEP 5

Meanwhile, arrange the parsnip, carrot and leek on a rimmed baking tray. Drizzle with the honey and remaining oil and sprinkle with garlic and thyme. Season. Pour the chicken stock around the vegetables on the tray. Roast, turning occasionally, for 30 mins or until the parsnip is tender and beginning to caramelise.

STEP 6

Arrange the parsnip, carrot and leek on a serving platter. Drizzle with remaining pesto. Top with the roast pork. Sprinkle with fried sage leaves to serve.

Check ingredient labels to make sure they meet your specific dietary requirements and always consult a health professional before changing your diet. View dietary information here.