October 2, 2018

Italian Pork Roast Braised with Milk and Fresh Herbs {Maiale al Latte}

Name: Italian Pork Roast with Milk and Fresh Herbs and Lemony Polenta
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 135 min
Yield: 8 people
Ingredients: 1 Tbsp unsalted butter; 1 Tbsp olive oil; 1 pork loin roast (3-4lb. or 1 pork sirloin tip roast (2-3 lb.) seasoned with salt and black pepper); 1 Tbsp minced fresh garlic; 1/2 cup dry white wine (we used Pinot Grigio); 1 1/2 cup whole milk; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 1/2 oz. dried porcini mushrooms (reconstituted in warm water, chopped **); 1 tsp anchovy paste; 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes; Minced zest of one lemon; 2 sprigs each fresh rosemary and sage (tied with kitchen string.); 2 cups chicken broth (low-sodium); 2 cups buttermilk; 1 cup yellow cornmeal; 1/4 cup Parmesan (grated); 2 tbsp butter (unsalted); 1 tbsp lemon zest (minced); salt (q.b.); black pepper (q.b.)

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Italian Pork Roast Braised with Milk and Fresh Herbs is a recipe that takes simple ingredients and turns them into a down-right mouthwatering dish. Milk-braised pork is a regional favorite of Bologna, a city in the Emilia-Romagna region. Just think, all it takes is a chunk of pork, milk, wine, some herbs and you have a meal fit for royalty. And then, to tweak the recipe a bit, we decided to add dried porcini mushrooms. We love the earthy flavor the porcini gives a recipe. To help soak up the delicious gravy, we made a creamy lemony polenta.

For this recipe, you will need pork roast, whole milk, heavy cream, porcini mushrooms, dry white wine, butter, olive oil, garlic, anchovy paste, red pepper flakes, lemons, rosemary, sage, polenta, buttermilk, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese.

Were to find milk in Italian pork roast

In central and northern Italy it is very common to braise meat or poultry in milk. Jaime Oliver has a very popular recipe — Chicken in Milk. I have yet to try his recipe but I know many bloggers who have and they say it’s superb!

Normally a pork rib roast or a pork loin roast is used for this recipe. Since we had a Costco pork sirloin tip roast in the freezer, we decided to use it instead.

Costco sells these pork roasts in a package of three and we find them very budget friendly and versatile.

Milk Tenderizes Meat

When the Italian pork roast cooks in milk, it becomes tender, and the milk turns into a delicious nutty-tasting sauce.

Do you remember this is what happened with our Bolognese Sauce Antica? Meat cooked slowly in milk turns the meat incredibly tender.

Adding heavy cream to the Italian pork roast as it cooks ensures that the sauce is smooth with no curds. The reconstituted dried porcini we decided to add, gives the dish an added sophistication.

Brown pork roast first

We browned our Italian pork roast in a deep iron skillet then transferred it to our slow-cooker. It only took the Italian pork roast an hour to cook to 145°F.

Depending on the size and shape of a pork roast, it could take a little bit longer. It’s always wise to use an instant-read thermometer.

We transferred the Italian pork roast to a platter and then used our emersion blender right in the slow cooker to purée the sauce and mushrooms.

Milk makes Italian Pork Roast tender

We served our Italian pork roast with lemony polenta which complimented the rich dish perfectly. The polenta acts just like mashed potatoes soaking up the yummy milky sauce on the plate.

Lucky for us we had enough Italian pork roast leftover that we were able to freeze a portion of the scrumptious meal for another time. 🙂

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Italian Pork Roast with Milk and Lemony Polenta

This is an ideal way to take an inexpensive roast and make it fit for a king or queen. The meat turns out flavorful and tender with a delicious creamy gravy that you can pour over the meat and lemony polenta.

5 from 7 votes

Italian Pork Roast with Milk and Fresh Herbs and Lemony Polenta

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

2 hrs

Total Time

2 hrs 15 mins

Pork roast is slowly braised in milk with fresh rosemary, sage and porcini mushrooms. The meat becomes tender and succulent while the milk turns into a delicious sauce that has a nutty like flavor.

Course: holiday main dish, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Autumn dish, Sunday dinner, Special dinner

Servings: 8 people

Calories: 655 kcal

Author: Marisa Franca @ All Our Way

Ingredients

1 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 pork loin roast 3-4lb. or 1 pork sirloin tip roast (2-3 lb.) seasoned with salt and black pepper
1 Tbsp minced fresh garlic
1/2 cup dry white wine we used Pinot Grigio
1 1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 oz. dried porcini mushrooms reconstituted in warm water, chopped **
1 tsp anchovy paste
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
Minced zest of one lemon
2 sprigs each fresh rosemary and sage tied with kitchen string.

LEMONY POLENTA

2 cups chicken broth low-sodium
2 cups buttermilk
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup Parmesan grated
2 tbsp butter unsalted
1 tbsp lemon zest minced
salt q.b.
black pepper q.b.

Instructions

Heat butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter melts. Add pork, fat side down, and sear until brown, 3-4 minutes. Brown pork on all sides, about 5 minutes more; transfer to a 4- to 6-qt. slow cooker. Add garlic to skillet; cook 30 seconds.
Deglaze skillet with wine, scraping up any brown bits. Add milk, cream, porcini, anchovy paste, pepper flakes, and zest; simmer 3 minutes. Pour milk mixture around pork in slow cooker; submerge rosemary and sage. Cover slow cooker and cook pork until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part register 145 degrees F on low setting, 2 hours. Transfer pork to a platter and tent with foil to keep warm. Discard rosemary and sage.
Purée sauce in the slow cooker with a handheld blender until smooth; season with salt and black pepper.
Slice pork and serve with sauce and Lemony Polenta.

LEMONY POLENTA

Whisk together the broth, buttermilk, and cornmeal in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, and cook, whisking constantly, about 5 minutes; remove from heat.
Stir in Parmesan, butter, and zest; season with salt and pepper.

Recipe Notes

** Save the porcini broth for later use by pouring the juice through a coffee filter to remove any impurities.
We had leftover polenta that we sliced and browned in a heavy iron skillet with a little olive oil and butter.
Adapted from Cuisine at Home February 2014 issue.

Nutrition Facts

Italian Pork Roast with Milk and Fresh Herbs and Lemony Polenta

Amount Per Serving (8 g)

Calories 655 Calories from Fat 252

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 28g 43%

Saturated Fat 12g 60%

Cholesterol 218mg 73%

Sodium 545mg 23%

Potassium 1381mg 39%

Total Carbohydrates 25g 8%

Dietary Fiber 2g 8%

Sugars 5g

Protein 69g 138%

Vitamin A 12%

Vitamin C 6.8%

Calcium 19%

Iron 13.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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