SINCE hitting the headlines on Great British Bake Off two years ago, Co Down man Andrew Smyth has been combining his passion for cooking with his day job as an engineer.
As if that weren't enough, the Holywood GBBO finalist is now promoting pork from his native Northern Ireland in the run-up to Christmas, a time of year he's particularly looking forward to.
“I love cooking, especially at Christmas, as there’s no better time to enjoy food with your friends and family," he says.
Andrew has whipped up these two Christmas canapés for us to try at home. They're quick and easy to make, an added bonus being that Northern Ireland assured origin pork "is among the best and tastiest in the world" according to Andrew.
:: Andrew Smyth is a brand ambassador for the Northern Ireland Pork and Bacon Forum; visit NIPork’s Facebook or Instagram page for more of Andrew’s recipes.
PORK MINCE AND CRANBERRY SLIDERS
300g Northern Ireland pork mince
cranberry sauce
sage
parsley
1 onion, diced
mini buns
rocket
cheese
Method
Combine the pork mince, sage, parsley, salt, pepper and onion in a mixing bowl. Shape into quarter-inch sliders (like mini-burgers). Place each in a pan on a medium heat and cook for two minutes each side.
Place a slice of cheese on each slider, until it melts. Spread cranberry sauce on one side of bun, rocket on the other. Place slider into bun and serve immediately.
PORK TENDERLOIN, MOZZARELLA, TOMATO AND BASIL CROSTINI
1 x Northern Ireland pork tenderloin
crusty baguette
mozzarella balls
1 x tomato
olive oil
basil leaves
Salt and pepper
Method
Rub the pork with salt, pepper and olive oil. Brown all over in a pan on high heat.
Remove from the pan and cook in a roasting dish in a preheated oven at 200C for 18-20 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the other ingredients: slice the tomato, mozzarella and crusty bread and tear the basil leaves.
When the pork is cooked through, allow it to rest for five to 10 minutes; then slice and assemble with the other ingredients. Top with a drizzle of olive oil and serve.
