Maple Syrup Glazed Pork Loin

One of my families favorite main dishes is roasted pork loin.  Pork loin is naturally low in fat and is very economical when you are feeding a large group or family.  I needed a pork dish for some friends and family this weekend and decided to try this maple syrup glazed pork recipe.  The original recipe is from Cooks Illustrated magazine and Kenji Alt.  The original recipe used pork tenderloin but I substituted this with several pieces of pork loin.  The meat was delicious and the outside had a delicious maple glaze crust that clung to the meat.

Maple Syrup Glazed Pork Loin
Pre-heat Oven:  375 degrees
Makes:  10 servings

Maple Glaze:
3/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup molasses
2 tablespoons brandy or bourbon
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon cloves
pinch of cayenne pepper

1.  In a small saucepan, mix the maple syrup, molasses, brandy or bourbon, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper and pinch of cayenne pepper together.  Heat on medium high until the glaze starts to boil then turn it down to low and reduce to 1/2 .  Remove from the heat and save for the pork.

Maple Glaze

Pork Loin Coating:
1/2 cup corn starch
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons black pepper

2.  Mix the corn starch, sugar, salt and pepper together in a shallow dish.  Dredge the pork loin in the coating.  Shake off any excess coating.

Pork Loin Coating

4 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
2 3# pieces of pork loin

3.  In a large heavy skillet heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil until hot but not smoking.  Lower the heat to medium and add  one of the 3# coated pork loins to the hot oil and brown the meat on all sides.  Place the pork in a roasting pan fitted with a wire rack.  Add another 2 tablespoons of oil and bring up to temperature.  Add the other 3# pork loin to the hot oil and brown on all sides.  Remove the meat from the pan and place in the roasting pan. Bake the pork loin in a 375 degree oven for 1 1/2 hours or until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees.  Glaze the pork 3X whiling you are cooking it in the oven.  When the pork is done cooking allow it to rest for 15 minutes before you slice the meat.  Give the meat one last glazing before you serve it.  Slice the meat and pour some of the meat drippings in the bottom of the pan over the top of the meat.

Pork Loin Resting For 15 Minutes

Sliced Maple Syrup Glazed Pork Loin