Ginger and Thyme – Brined Pork Loin

Marinating for a day in brine infuses the loin with subtle sweetness and makes the meat juicy.

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 3 ounces pork)

Ingredients

1 cup chopped fresh thyme sprigs

2 cups water 1/2 cup ginger preserves (such as Dundee)

3 tablespoons kosher salt

1 (2-pound) boneless pork loin roast, trimmed

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Cooking spray

1 tablespoon ginger preserves

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

Preparation

1. Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk until salt dissolves. Pour thyme mixture into a large zip-top plastic bag. Add pork to bag; seal. Marinate in refrigerator 24 hours, turning occasionally.

2. Preheat oven to 425°.

3. Remove pork from bag; discard marinade. Pat pork dry with a paper towel. Rub pork with pepper. Place pork on the rack of a roasting pan coated with cooking spray. Combine 1 tablespoon preserves and 1 teaspoon thyme in a small bowl. Place rack with pork in pan. Bake at 425° for 25 minutes. Reduce heat to 325° (do not remove pork from oven); bake 30 minutes. Brush preserves mixture over pork; bake an additional 5 minutes or until a thermometer registers 155° (slightly pink). Place pork on a platter; let stand 15 minutes before cutting into 1/2-inch slices.

Nutritional Information

Calories:172, Fat:6g (sat 2.1g,mono 2.7g,poly 0.7g), Protein:24.8g, Carbohydrate:3.2g, Fiber:0.1g, Cholesterol:62mg, Iron:0.9mg, Sodium:396mg, Calcium:30mg