One thing that we’ve noticed over the years is that food plays such an important role our in lives and not just for fuel but for entertaining and providing us with fond memories too. We’ve chatted to some of Ireland’s well-known faces and eateries to discover their favourite dishes and meals, be it from their childhood or simply something they like to rustle up at home. _______________________________________________________________ This week, we’re looking at keeping up with the good intentions, but adding some extra flavour to spice things up! Bord Bia are set to get your tastebuds tingling, with a series of recipes using Quality Assured pork. Whether it’s chopped up in a stir-fry, or added to part of a Sunday roast, pork is a delicious way of adding some protein to a variety of meals. To celebrate their month-long campaign, Bord Bia has shared a tasty recipe for a roast rack of pork with smoked paprika and sage. Topped off with crispy crackling and apple sauce, this recipe will serve eight very happy guests! Roast Rack of Pork with Smoked Paprika and Sage with Crispy Crackling and Apple Sauce! Serves 8 Time: 2 hours Ingredients • 1 x 2kg Quality Assured Bord Bia rack of pork, chine bone removed and skin scored in fine lines for easy carving • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed • 2 tablesp. smoked paprika • 2 teasp. fresh sage leaves, chopped • 2 onions, roughly chopped • 2 carrots, roughly chopped • 2 sticks of celery, chopped • Salt and freshly ground black pepper • 1 tablesp. flour • 600mls stock or water Apple and Blueberry Sauce • 2 large bramley apples, peeled, cored and chopped • 100g blueberries • Knob of butter • 1 tablesp. sugar To Serve: Potatoes roasted with Winter vegetables Method: 1. A day ahead if possible mix together the garlic, smoked paprika and sage. Spread the mixture over the pork and set aside in the fridge overnight. 2. Heat the oven to Gas Mark 6, 200°C (400°F). 3. Place the pork in a roasting tin and season with a little salt. Put the onions, carrots and celery around the pork. This will add extra flavour and colour to the gravy. 4. Place the joint in the oven and allow to cook for 50 minutes per kg. After the first 15 minutes reduce the heat to Gas Mark 5, 180°C (350°F). To be absolutely accurate use a meat thermometer. The crackling should be golden and crispy at this stage. 5. Peel and chop potatoes and a selection of vegetables i.e. carrots, parsnips, white turnip and red onion. Place in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a roasting tin, place in the oven and cook for 20-30 minutes until tender. 6. When the meat is cooked remove from the oven, transfer the meat to a chopping board, cover loosely with tin foil and allow to rest for 20 minutes. 7. To make the Apple and Blueberry Sauce, place the apples, blueberries, butter, sugar and a tablespoon water in a small saucepan. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat and cook over a low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until very soft. Taste before serving and add a little more sugar if needed. 8. To make the gravy: stir the flour into the juices in the roasting tin. Place over a medium heat and continue stirring with a wooden spoon. Gradually add in the stock or water and stir until it thickens. 9. Taste and season. Pour through a sieve into a gravy boat. Discard the vegetables that were cooked alongside the roast. 10. To serve, slice the pork and serve with the roasted vegetables, gravy and Apple and Blueberry Sauce.