sliced ham
Along with the standard chop, pork can fill a variety of dinner menus. Pork is available as a roast, steak, ribs, cured and other smoked cuts. Cooking methods will vary according to the type of cut you prepare, but roasting, frying and grilling are all standard procedure. Pork is best accompanied by sweet or tangy sauces, which you can consider along with these dinner ideas.
Pork roasts can be made regularly without becoming tiresome because they do so well with a wide variety of glazes and herb crusts. Using glazes with fruit bases such as apple, pears, peach or fig and combining with citrus or ginger root are good combinations. Pork roasts can also be rolled with herbs such as sage, rosemary, thyme and parsley. Pork roast cooks best when placed in a roasting pan in a preheated 325 degree Fahrenheit oven for about one hour, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 155 degrees F. Remove from the oven, cover with foil and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving. This method will prevent the meat from drying out.
Tenderloin, chops, steaks and ribs
Pork tenderloin is quite tender and makes for quick roasting, pan-frying or barbecue. Pork medallions come from the tenderloin and can be lightly floured, breaded and either baked or lightly fried and served alongside steamed vegetables.
Pork chops and steaks are easily pan-fried, baked or tossed on the grill. They can be marinated with a fruit juice and soy sauce mixture or seasoned simply with salt and pepper. These cuts won't take long to cook and are perfect for a quick meal. A thick, center-cut pork chop can be stuffed with herbs, bread crumbs and sauteed onions for a more elaborate dinner.
Pork ribs are a classic and perfect for a laid-back gathering of family or friends. Ribs can be barbecued or oven-baked with thick layer of tangy or sweet sauce. Basting regularly will bring out the best of the meat and provide tenderness. Serve with coleslaw, baked beans and cornbread.
Baked ham
A holiday favorite, baked hams are easy to prepare and will provide good leftovers for sandwiches. Most hams are sold as a "ready to eat" product and only require warming up in a oven. Uncured hams, hams that haven't been smoked yet, will need to be fully roasted before eating. The benefit to roasting your own ham is a better taste and a longer opportunity for whatever glaze you choose to soak deeply into the meat.
Tags: chops steaks, Pork roast, Pork roasts, with fruit, with herbs
