The best pork loin in the world starts with a great rub {as do many other great things, ahem}.
A rub is like a dry marinade that can be applied as little a 20 minutes before roasting, or as long as overnight. The longer the infusion, the more intense the flavor.
And aren’t the herbs and spices just so pretty?
Having never used a rub on pork before – not to mention making my own – I was a little concerned it would be dry and blah. I am relieved to report back…it’s mind-blowingly delicious and astonishingly moist.
The Best Stinking Rub Ever {Amen}
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1 1/2 cups of brown sugar
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3 tablespoons of coarsely ground pepper
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2 1/2 tablespoons of kosher salt
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2 teaspoons of ground ginger
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4 teaspoons of garlic powder
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4 teaspoons of onion powder
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1 tablespoon of dry mustard
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2 teaspoons of ground red pepper {cayenne}
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1 1/2 teaspoons of ground cumin {hallelujah!}
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1 1/2 teaspoons of paprika
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1/2 teaspoon of finely chopped rosemary {I used fresh}, optional
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1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme, oregano or tarragon…or a bit of all three {whatever you have in your cupboard, really}.
Directions:
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Stir together all ingredients in a medium sized bowl {mix up a bunch of this rub and stash it in a ziplock baggie, using about 1/2 cup per 2.5 pounds of meat}
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Heat oven to 350*
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Sprinkle a healthy portion {my roast was a 5+ pounder, so I used a cup} on all sides of pork loin and, using your fingers, rub well into meat.
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Place roast on rack in roasting pan. I surrounded mine with chopped potatoes, drizzled with olive oil, kosher salt and finely chopped rosemary.
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Roast, uncovered, until internal temperature is 150*, 40 minutes to an hour for a 2.5 pound roast. Mine took an hour and a half.
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I added chopped veggies {onions, carrots and granny smith apples, drizzled with olive oil, kosher salt, cumin, coriander and a sprinkle of the pork rub for good measure…sort of like these ones} half way through, allowing about 40 minutes for veggies to roast.
Drool. Devour. Repeat.
You can thank me later.
Recipe brought to you {albeit slightly tweaked} by the fine folks at www.allrecipes.com
