Porking Out on Father’s Day
Pork loin gets all pretty and tasty with a profusion of fresh orange slices.
My Dad never met a piece of pork he didn’t like.
Chinese char siu cut into itty-bits and scrambled with eggs for breakfast.
Lacquered pork ribs from Chinatown to gnaw on blissfully until they were picked clean.
A big ham he’d stud with cloves and bake with rings of pineapple for Christmas dinner.
And neatly tied roasts brushed with soy sauce and honey, purposely big enough to allow for leftover slices to stuff into sandwiches packed for lunch the next day.
It’s been seven years since my Dad passed away. But every time I enjoy an exceptional porky meal, I can’t help but think of him.
Chef Charlie Palmer’s “Pork Loin with Oranges” is a dish I know he would have loved. My Dad wasn’t into fancy. While this dish isn’t pretentious, it’s pretty enough to be a party plate for a special celebration, yet easy enough to prepare for an every day meal.
It’s unfussy — just a generous pork loin roasted gently with an abundance of onion and fresh orange slices until the tangy citrus marries with the sweetness of the meat in perfect harmony.