by Brian Somershield of Za Za Trattoria
(photo by Jerrod Brown)

1 boneless pork loin, 4-6 lbs., fat cap not
removed if possible
6 garlic cloves, peeled
1 medium-size yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 cans sauerkraut, rinsed briefly
1 tbsp. caraway seeds
2 cups water
3 eggs
2 cups milk
3 3/4 cups flour
1 can or jar of Mott’s applesauce, cold

     Preheat oven to 400°. Cut 6 small slits, about 2 inches deep, into various parts of the pork loin. Stuff each slit with a garlic clove, then season the pork loin aggressively with salt and black pepper. Place pork in center of a large casserole dish, then scatter sliced onions on and around the pork loin. Place in center rack of oven and roast for 30 minutes.
     After 30 minutes, remove dish from oven and decrease heat to 275°. Remove pork from dish. While oven is cooling, scatter sauerkraut and caraway seeds around the base of the casserole dish, then place pork in the center of the sauerkraut “nest.” Add water, cover entire dish with foil and return to
oven. Cook, covered, for 1.5 hours.
     While pork is cooking, place a large pot of lightly salted water on the stove and bring to a boil. In a medium-size mixing bowl, whisk eggs and milk together. Add a heavy pinch of salt and black pepper, then slowlybegin adding flour to the milk/egg mixture. Continue whisking until all flour is added and a smooth, slightly sticky mass has formed. Using an ice cream scoop or two spoons, gently drop rounded dough balls into boiling water. You may cook several dumplings at the same time, but be careful not to overcrowd the pot. Once the dumplings float to the surface, cook for another 2 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon. Place on a lightly buttered sheet tray in a single layer, and allow to cool.
     After pork has cooked for 1.5 hours, remove dish from oven and place on stovetop. Gently remove pork from dish and cover. Meanwhile, add dumplings to sauerkraut/onion mixture to warm. Spoon a generous amount of the sauerkraut mixture onto a serving platter, placing pork on top. Make sure applesauce is close by, and enjoy! Yields 6 servings.