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We’re celebrating the height of citrus season with one of our favorite fruits: the gorgeous blood orange. Known for its crimson-hued flesh and juice, we’re using it here along with dried Turkish figs to create a sweet and tart sauce for our roasted pork (rubbed with spices like cumin, coriander and sumac). A bed of nutty farro and aromatic fennel completes this hearty winter dish.

Ethan Mick

with Fig & Blood Orange Pan Sauce

Cumin-Crusted Pork

Pork Roast

Semi-Pearled Farro

Blood Orange

Fennel Bulb

Red Wine Vinegar

Roasted Almonds

Dried Turkish Figs

Pork Roast Spice Blend (Ground Cumin, Ground Coriander, Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika, Aleppo Pepper & Ground Sumac)

Ingredients

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Heat a large pot of salted water to boiling on high. Cut off and discard any fennel stems. Quarter the bulb lengthwise; cut out and discard the core, then cut crosswise into ¼-inch-thick pieces. Finely chop the figs. Halve the orange and squeeze the juice into a bowl, straining out the seeds. [Roughly chop the almonds.](#)

Prepare the ingredients:

Line a sheet pan with foil. Pat the **pork** dry with paper towels; season all sides with salt, pepper and the **spice blend**. In a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned pork. Cook, turning occasionally, 3 to 5 minutes, or until browned on all sides. Leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan on the stove, transfer to the prepared sheet pan. Roast 20 to 22 minutes, or until cooked through. (An instant-read thermometer should register 145°F.) Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for at least 5 minutes.

Sear & roast the pork:

[While the pork sears, add the farro to the pot of boiling water and cook, uncovered, 16 to 18 minutes, or until tender. Turn off the heat. Drain thoroughly and return to the pot.](#)

Cook the farro:

While the farro cooks, add 2 teaspoons of olive oil to the pan of reserved fond; heat on medium-high until hot. Add the **fennel** and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 11 to 13 minutes, or until lightly browned and softened. Transfer to a plate. Wipe out the pan.

Cook the fennel:

In the same pan, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the **figs**; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, 2 to 3 minutes, or until slightly softened and fragrant. Add the **vinegar** and **¾ cup of water**; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 6 to 7 minutes, or until the figs have softened and the sauce has thickened. Turn off the heat and stir in the **orange juice**; season with salt and pepper to taste.

Make the pan sauce:

To the pot of **cooked farro**, add the **cooked fennel**, **almonds** and a drizzle of olive oil; stir to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste. Find the lines of muscle (or grain) on the **rested pork**; thinly slice crosswise against the grain. Divide the finished farro and sliced pork between 2 dishes. Top the pork with the **pan sauce**. Enjoy!