Glazed Pork Loin with Cilantro and Garlic (Epicurious)

By ctaubenheim

Ingredients

• BRINE
• 1 tsp crushed hot red pepper
• flakes
• 1 T. boiling water
• 2 C. apricot nectar
• 2 C. water
• 1/2 C. kosher salt
• 1/2 C. granulates sugar
• 10 garlic cloves, peeled,
• halved, germ removed &
• grated on grater
• One 6 1/2 - 7 lb pork loin
• SEASONING BLEND
• 2T mild chile powder,
• preferrably Ancho
• 1T. sweet paprika
• 1T firmly packed dark brown
• sugar
• 3/4 tsp dry mustard
• 1/2 tsp garlic salt
• 1/2 tsp lemon pepper
• 1/2 tsp coarsely grd fresh
• black pepper
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
• 1/4 tsp ground cumin
• GLAZE
• 1/2 C. apricot preserves
• 1 1/2 T freshly squeezed
• lemon juice
• 3 T finely chopped cilantro
• or flat leaf parsley
• 1 garlic clove, peeled, halved
• germ removed & grated on
• microplane grater
• Fleur de sel
• Finely grd fresh black pepper

Details

Level of difficulty Average
Cost Average budget

Preparation

Step 1

Place the pepper flakes in a small bowl & pour the boiling water over them. Let sit for 1 to 2 minutes to rehydrate the flakes. Combine all the brine ingredients in a blender, or in a large bowl using an immersions/stick blender. Stir in the pepper flakes and the soaking water.

Step 2

Place the loin in an extra large resealable plastic bag, pour the brine over the top, squeeze out any excess air from the bag, and close. Roll the bag to evenly coat the meat. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or up to 12.

Step 3

Preheat an indirect BBQ with a drip pan and fruitwood (preferably apple), a ceramic cooker with deflector plate and fruitwood (preferably apple), or a charcoal or gas grill with a box or pack of fruitwood (preferably apple) to 250.

Step 4

Combine all of the seasoning blend ingredients. Place all of the glaze ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake to combine. Set aside. Remove the loin from the brine and lightly pat dry with paper towels.

Step 5

Sprinkle the rub evenly on all sides. Using your hands or a brush, evenly, but lightly, coat the loin with canola oil. Insert a remove thermometer into the center of the meat. Place the loin in the cooker and cook until the internal temperature reaches 135, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Step 6

Give the glaze a quick shake to reincorporate any ingredients that may have settled. Brush the loin with the glaze and return to the cooker until the internal temp reaches 145, about 15 minutes. At this point, the meat will be slightly pink in the center; cook for an additional 5 - 10 minutes for more well done. Pour about half of the remaining glaze on a cutting board and top with the loin. Let rest for 10 minutes.

Step 7

Slice the meat into 1/4 inch slices. Dredge the slices in the glaze, adding additional as needed to coat the exposed sides. Sprinkle with fleur de sel and pepper.