Baked Pork Loin with Honey Glaze and Apples

Normans use apples and cider in many savoury preparations - with game, poultry, even fish. In this classic pork dish it's important to use a slightly tart variety so the end result isn't too sweet.

1 (2½ lb) pork loin roast, tied
sea salt
black pepper, freshly ground
2 Tbsp. pure honey
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
4 sprigs fresh thyme
6 Tbsp. butter, cubed
2 medium yellow onions, cut into 8 wedges each
2⁄3 cup dry apple cider
5 whole sweet-tart apples, such as Gala, Fuji, or Empire, cored and quartered

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C/155°C fan, Gas Mark 3).

Place the pork in a large roasting pan and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle the honey over the pork, then arrange the rosemary and thyme on top. Scatter butter over the pork, then arrange the onions in the pan around the pork.

Pour the cider into the pan and bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the middle of the pork reads 120°F, about 45 minutes. Scatter the apples around the pork and continue baking until the apples are tender and the pork is golden brown and the instant-read thermometer reads 160°F, about 45 minutes more.

Remove the roasting pan from the oven and let the pork rest for 20 minutes. Transfer the pork to a serving platter and cut into thin slices. Scatter the baked apples and onions around the pork and drizzle with the pan juices before serving.

Makes 4 servings.