We find it better to score, rather than trim, the thin layer of fat on the top of a pork loin, as scoring encourages the fat to melt and baste the meat during cooking.To flavor every bite with our garlic, rosemary, parsley, and oil paste, we butterflied the meat to spread the interior of the tenderloin with the herb paste.
After butterflying, we tied the roast with kitchen twine and brushed the roast's surface with olive oil to help it brown and to reduce sticking on the grill. Make sure to tie the meat securely around its circumference to ensure that it stays uniformly round as it cooks. Tying the meat also helps it cook evenly on the grill.
On the grill, we browned the roast directly over high heat and finished cooking it on the cooler section of the grill. Once the roast has reached an internal temperature of 140 degrees, allow the roast to rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing-the temperature will rise to a perfectly safe, but still juicy, 150 degrees and the juices will have time to redistribute.
Serves 6 to 8
Freezing the pork for 30 minutes will make butterflying it much easier. Mincing the parsley, rosemary, and garlic makes for a homogenous filling.
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley leaves
1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
2 garlic cloves , minced
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 boneless pork loin roast (2 1/2 to 3 pounds), fat on top scored lightly
1. BUTTERFLY ROAST Combine parsley, rosemary, garlic, ¾ teaspoon salt, ¾ teaspoon pepper, and 2 tablespoons oil in bowl. Following photos 1 to 3, butterfly pork roast and spread with herb mixture, leaving ½-inch border on all sides. Roll tightly, then tie roast at 1-inch intervals with kitchen twine. (Roast can be wrapped tightly with plastic and refrigerated for 24 hours.)
2. HEAT GRILL Heat all burners on high, covered, for 15 minutes. (For charcoal grill, light 100 coals; when covered with fine gray ash, spread over half of grill. Set cooking grate in place and heat covered, with lid vent open completely, for 5 minutes.) Scrape and oil cooking grate.
3. GRILL AND SLICE Rub prepared roast all over with remaining oil and season with salt and pepper. Place roast opposite primary burner (for charcoal grill, place roast directly over coals) and grill until well browned all over, about 12 minutes. Arrange roast fat-side up, leave primary burner on high, and shut off other burner(s). (For charcoal grill, position roast fat-side up on cooler side of grill.) Cook, covered, until meat registers 140 degrees, 35 to 45 minutes. Transfer pork to cutting board, tent with foil, and let rest 15 minutes. The temperature will continue to rise. Remove twine, slice, and serve.
