Rosemary Roasted Pork Loin with Fig Sauce

This was a labor of love for a Thursday night, but was too delicious to really complain about.  I found the sauce to be too thin - more like a broth - but the flavor of it was amazing and perfect for wine lovers.  It should be served on the side, though honestly the meat could stand alone.  It was tender, and juicy; the olive oil keeps it from drying during the roasting process.  I am posting the recipe as is but I never salt meat I am roasting as a general rule.  I believe it dries the meat too much, so I omitted it.  I served this with white mac n' cheese and cubed butternut squash which I roasted with olive oil, Kosher salt, and thyme right beside of the roast for the first 40 minutes or so.  (My roast was a little bigger so it took over two hours to get to the right temperature!)   Finally, make sure to let it rest.  You will ruin an expensive roast if you slice it before the meat can cool for at least 15 minutes, but preferably half an hour.

Source: Giadia 

Sauce:

• 2 1/2 cups port
• 1 1/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 8 dried black Mission figs, coarsely chopped
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Pork:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
• 1 tablespoon salt, plus additional for seasoning
• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus additional for seasoning
• 1 cup canned low-salt chicken broth
• 1 (4 to 4 1/2-pound) boneless pork loin

For the sauce: In a heavy medium saucepan, combine the first 6 ingredients. Boil over medium-high heat until reduced by half, about 30 minutes. Discard the herb sprigs and cinnamon sticks (some of the rosemary leaves will remain in the port mixture). Transfer the port mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. Blend in the butter. Season the sauce, to taste, with salt and pepper. (The sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium heat before using.)

For the pork: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Stir the oil, rosemary, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper in a small bowl to blend. Place the pork loin in a heavy roasting pan. Spread the oil mixture over the pork to coat completely. Roast until an instant read meat thermometer inserted into the center of the pork registers 145 degrees F, turning the pork every 15 minutes to ensure even browning, about 45 minutes total.

Transfer the pork to a cutting board and tent with foil to keep warm. Let the pork rest 15 minutes. Meanwhile, stir the chicken broth into the roasting pan. Place the pan over medium heat, and scrape the bottom of the pan to remove any browned bits. Bring the pan juices to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Using a large sharp knife, cut the pork crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange the pork slices on plates. Spoon the jus over. Drizzle the warm fig sauce around and serve immediately.