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1
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
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2
In a food processor, combine the chopped herbs with the garlic, crushed red pepper, a generous pinch of salt and enough olive oil to make a paste. Brush the paste all over the outside of the pork rib roast.
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3
Toss the onions with olive oil and salt, and place in the bottom of a roasting pan. Add the thyme, bay leaves and 2/3 of the cider (5 1/3 cups).
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4
Place the pork on top of the onions and then in the preheated oven. Roast the pork at 425 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes or until the pork has developed a lovely brown crust. Check the pork, stir the onions and cider if they are starting to burn. Add more cider if the fluid level starts to go down.
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5
Lower the oven to 375 degrees F and roast for another 30 to 35 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer reads 150 degrees F. If the crust on the pork starts to get too dark while cooking, cover it with foil.
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6
When done, place the pork loin on a plate, cover loosely with foil and let rest for at least 15 minutes before carving. Remove 1 1/2 cups of the cider from the bottom of the roasting pan and reserve for the applesauce. When ready to carve, cut the pork from the bone and cut the loin into thin slices. Serve with the onions braised in cider and chunky applesauce.
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7
For the applesauce, melt the butter in a saucepan large enough to accommodate the apples. Add the apples and saute over medium-low heat until the apples start to soften. Add the reserved cider, apple cider and cinnamon and cook over low-medium heat until most of the cider has evaporated and the apples are cooked and very soft. Add the heavy cream and walnuts, and cook until the cream has reduced by half.
