BACON-WRAPPED PORK LOIN WITH WARM DIJON POTATO SALAD

Serves 4 to 6.   From The Best One-Dish Suppers.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
Wrapping our pork loin with bacon kept the meat in our Bacon-Wrapped Pork Loin recipe moist and served, both visually and flavor-wise, in lieu of a seared crust. We took advantage of the remaining space on our baking sheet and decided to include a Warm Dijon Potato Salad side dish. We roasted the potatoes right next to the pork, then tossed them with a simple Dijon vinaigrette that we’d warmed in the microwave.

If your pork roast has a thick layer of fat on top, trim the fat until it measure just 1/8 inch thick. We prefer to use small red potatoes measuring about 1 inch in diameter in this recipe, but you can substitute larger red potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch chunks.


INGREDIENTS
12ounces bacon (about 12 slices)
1(2 1/2- to 3-pound) boneless pork loin roast , trimmed (see note)
2teaspoons ground fennel seed
Salt and ground black pepper
2 1/2pounds small red potatoes (about 15), scrubbed and cut in half
6tablespoons olive oil
1/2cup low-sodium chicken broth
1medium shallot , minced (about 3 tablespoons)
1 1/2tablespoons white wine vinegar
2teaspoons Dijon mustard
pinch sugar
1/4cup minced fresh parsley leaves

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Adjust an oven rack to the upper-middle position and heat the oven to 375 degrees. Lay the bacon on a large microwave-safe plate and weigh it down with a second plate. Microwave the bacon on high power until it is slightly shriveled but still pliable, 1 to 3 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel–lined plate and let cool slightly.

2. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Pat the pork dry with paper towels, rub evenly with the ground fennel, and season with salt and pepper. Lay the roast in the center of the prepared baking sheet. Following the illustrations at right, shingle the bacon attractively over the top of the pork, tucking the ends underneath the roast.

3. Toss the potatoes with 1 tablespoon of the oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Brush the baking sheet around the pork loin with 1 tablespoon more oil. Lay the potatoes, cut side down, on the baking sheet around the pork. Roast the pork and potatoes until the pork registers 130 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, 40 to 60 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through roasting.

4. Remove the pork and potatoes from the oven, position the oven rack 6 inches from the broiler element, and heat the broiler. Broil the pork and potatoes until the bacon is crisp and browned and the pork registers 140 to 145 on an instant-read thermometer, 3 to 5 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 1/4 cup oil, broth, shallot, vinegar, mustard, and sugar together in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the dressing (uncovered) on high power until very hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Cover and keep warm until needed.

6. Transfer the pork to a carving board and let rest for 10 minutes. Whisk the warm dressing to recombine, then stir in the roasted potatoes and parsley. Season the potato salad with salt and pepper to taste, cover, and let sit until the potatoes have absorbed the dressing, 5 to 10 minutes. Cut the pork into 1/2-inch-thick slices and serve with the warm potato salad.

Recipe made by Jill