Sides and Matches for Pork Loin Steaks with Raspberry and Chilli Sauce

Sides

• Roasted Vegetables:
  • Ingredients: Carrots, parsnips, red onions, bell peppers, olive oil, salt, pepper, fresh rosemary.
  • Method: Preheat the oven to 200°C. Chop the vegetables into uniform pieces, toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh rosemary. Spread out on a baking tray and roast for 25-30 minutes until tender and caramelised.
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes:
  • Ingredients: Potatoes (such as Maris Piper), unsalted butter, double cream, salt, pepper.
  • Method: Peel and chop the potatoes into even chunks. Boil in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash with butter, double cream, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
• Fresh Green Salad:
  • Ingredients: Mixed greens (such as rocket, spinach, and watercress), cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper.
  • Method: Toss the mixed greens, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion in a large bowl. Dress with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper just before serving.
• Garlic and Herb New Potatoes:
  • Ingredients: New potatoes, garlic cloves, fresh parsley, fresh chives, olive oil, salt, pepper.
  • Method: Boil new potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and toss with crushed garlic, chopped fresh parsley, chives, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Buttered Green Beans:
  • Ingredients: Fresh green beans, unsalted butter, salt, pepper.
  • Method: Blanch green beans in boiling salted water for 3-4 minutes, then drain and toss with melted butter, salt, and pepper.

Matches

• Fresh Thyme: Enhances the herbaceous note in the raspberry sauce and complements the pork well. Can be added to the mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.
• Rosemary: Pairs beautifully with pork and can be used to season roasted vegetables or new potatoes.
• Sage: Works well with pork’s natural flavour. Can be finely chopped and added to mashed potatoes or sautéed with the green beans.
• Apples: Serve as a fresh apple slaw or incorporate into a mixed fruit salad for a refreshing contrast to the savoury pork.
• Cranberries: Make a cranberry and walnut salad to complement the raspberry sauce.
• Honey Glazed Carrots:
  • Ingredients: Carrots, honey, unsalted butter, salt, pepper.
  • Method: Slice carrots into sticks and boil until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and toss in a pan with melted butter, honey, salt, and pepper until glazed.