Pork Roll Baked in Foil

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   How do you bake a pork roll in foil? Start by prepping your ingredients. For the pork, a single piece of ham or shoulder (neck) with minimal fat works best. Use whatever dried herbs you like — Provençal herbs, dill, or cilantro; I went with parsley and celery.

2. Step 2:

   

   Rinse the pork and pat it dry with a paper towel, then use a sharp knife to butterfly it into a wide, flat sheet. Cut into the center without going all the way through, then open the meat out to both sides like a book. Do the same with any thick spots — slice into them and fold them open.

3. Step 3:

   

   Pound the sheet of meat to an even thickness. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).

4. Step 4:

   

   Transfer the pounded meat to a large dish and pour the soy sauce over it. As it cooks, the soy sauce keeps the pork juicy, stands in for salt, and adds a savory note.

5. Step 5:

   

   Peel and finely grate the garlic, then add it to the meat. Rub the garlic and soy sauce all over the pork with your hands.

6. Step 6:

   

   Sprinkle the meat evenly with the dried herbs.

7. Step 7:

   

   Then with ground black pepper.

8. Step 8:

   

   Roll the meat up tightly with the herbs and pepper on the inside. If you're worried it will unroll, tie it with kitchen twine or secure the edge with a toothpick.

9. Step 9:

   

   Spread out a large sheet of foil and brush it with vegetable oil. Set the roll on it seam-side down and wrap it up very tightly. Make sure there are no holes or tears in the foil — otherwise the juices will leak into the pan and the meat will come out dry.

10. Step 10:

    

    Put the roll in the hot oven and bake for 45 minutes. Then take it out and let it rest, still wrapped in the foil, for 10 minutes.

11. Step 11:

    

    Unwrap the foil, slice the pork roll into portions, and serve. It's delicious both hot and cold as an appetizer, and it dresses up any holiday table.

12. Step 12:

    

    Enjoy!