Porchetta-Style Sandwiches

Instructions

1. Sear & roast the pork:

   Preheat the oven to 450°F. Pat the pork dry with paper towels; season on all sides with salt, pepper, and the spice blend and as much of the red pepper flakes as you'd like, depending on how spicy you'd like the dish to be. In an oven-safe pan, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned pork and cook, turning occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes, or until browned on all sides. Transfer to a foil-lined sheet pan, leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan on the stove. Roast the seared pork 18 to 20 minutes, or until cooked through. (An instant-read thermometer should register 145°F.) Remove from the oven and transfer to a cutting board, leaving the oven on. Let the roasted pork rest for at least 5 minutes.

2. Prepare the ingredients:

   While the pork sears, wash and dry the fresh produce. Using a peeler, remove the yellow rind of the lemon, avoiding the white pith; mince the rind to get 2 teaspoons of zest (or use a zester). Quarter and deseed the lemon. Peel and mince the garlic; using the flat side of your knife, smash until it resembles a paste (or use a zester). In a small bowl, combine 2 teaspoons each paste in a bowl with the juice of all 4 lemon wedges; season with salt. Using the cucumber. Pick the parsley leaves off the stems; discard the stems. Roughly chop the capers. Halve the rolls.

3. Cook & chop the kale:

   While the pork roasts, heat the pan of reserved fond on medium-high until hot. (If the pan seems dry, add a drizzle of olive oil.) Add the sliced kale; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until wilted. Add ½ cup of water and cook, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes, or until the water has cooked off. Transfer the cooked kale to a cutting board; finely chop.

4. Make the salad & pesto:

   While the pork continues to roast, in a large bowl, combine the cucumber, parsley and half the garlic-lemon mixture. Drizzle with olive oil; season with salt and pepper to taste. In a medium bowl, combine the chopped kale, chopped capers, lemon zest and remaining garlic-lemon mixture. Slowly stir in enough olive oil to create a rough paste; season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Toast the rolls:

   While the pork rests, place the rolls on a sheet pan, cut sides up. Drizzle with olive oil. Toast in the oven 4 to 6 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Remove from the oven and divide between 2 dishes.

6. Finish & plate your dish:

   Find the lines of muscle (or grain) of the rested pork; slice against the grain. Spread a layer of the pesto onto the cut sides of the toasted rolls. Top each roll bottom with half the sliced pork and a spoonful of the cucumber marinating liquid; season with salt and pepper. Finish with the roll tops. Serve with the salad. Enjoy!