SMOKED PORK LOIN RECIPE BRINE RECIPES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve the salt and sugar in 8 cups of cold water. Add the black peppercorns and squeeze in 2 of the halved lemons. Submerge the pork in the brine for 6 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Remove the pork from the brine and dry off. Heat a large oven-safe skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat. Add the oil and sear each side of the loin until golden, about 8 minutes total -- keep turning until it's golden all over. Add the sliced onions to the pan alongside the pork, and stir around to coat the onions in fat. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast the pork until it reaches an internal temperature of 140 to 145 degrees F, about 30 minutes. For even cooking, be sure to stir the onions once or twice during roasting.
• For the sandwich build: Butter the pretzel bun halves and griddle them until golden brown. With a sharp knife, slice the loin into thin shavings. Spread some mustard on the bottom half of each bun, then top with some sliced pork. Sprinkle the pork with a little salt and squeeze the remaining lemon halves over the top. Top with the roasted onions and some Pickled Fresno Peppers. Eat while standing.
• Bring the vinegar, 1/4 cup water, the sugar, salt, bay leaf and garlic to a boil in a small saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes. Pour the hot liquid over the peppers in a bowl or container. Cool to room temperature and refrigerate.

Steps:

• For the brine: Combine the salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, coriander seeds, and 2 cups warm water in a large bowl. Stir until the salt dissolves. Add 6 cups cold water. Add the pork, cover, and refrigerate overnight (the pork should be submerged in the liquid).
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the herb rub: Mix the garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary in a small bowl. Remove the pork from the brine and pat it dry (discard the brine). Spread the herb mixture over the pork loin, making sure you coat all sides of the loin.
• For the pork: Heat the olive oil in a medium, heavy saute pan over high heat. Add the pork and sear until browned, 4 minutes. Carefully turn the pork over and sear until browned, another 4 minutes. Meanwhile, add the prunes and pearl onions to a 10 by 7 by 2-inch glass baking dish, creating a bed for the loin. Transfer the seared pork loin to the baking dish (making sure the loin fits in the baking dish, leaving a 1-inch border on every side).
• Add the wine to the same saute pan used to sear the pork and cook, scraping the bottom of the pan to remove the browned bits, until almost evaporated, about1 minute. Stir in the pineapple juice and remove from the heat. Season with salt and pepper. Pour the mixture over the pork. Season the prunes and onions with salt and pepper.
• Place the pork in the oven and roast until a thermometer inserted into the center registers 160 degrees F, about 1 hour, basting with the pan juices every 20 minutes. Transfer the pork to a cutting board, tent with foil, and let it stand for 10 minutes. Slice the pork into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick slices and arrange on a platter. Top the pork slices with the pearl onions, prunes, and sauce.
• Cook's Note: In place of a 3 1/2-pound pork loin, you can use 2 (1 1/4-pound) pork tenderloins. The total cooking time will be about 1 hour.