Ingredients

  • 1/2 tablespoon szechwan peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • 2 star anise
  • 32 ounces water (4 cups)
  • 1/3 cup kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 4 large slices ginger
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 pork loin, cleaned (about 3 to 4 pounds)
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Garnish: 1/4 cup chive batons
  • 2 tablespoons chile oil
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons minced ginger
  • 4 medium sized yams, peeled and quartered
  • 6 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 2 to 4 ounces of butter
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Canola oil to cook
  • 1 small diced red onion
  • 1/2 tablespoon five spice powder
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
  • 8 ounces apple juice
  • 1 tablespoon butter (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method

  • Toast both peppercorns and anise until fragrant in a saute pan.
  • Mix everything together and taste.
  • The liquid should be tasty, but not overly salty.
  • Place pork in brine overnight.
  • After brining, thoroughly rinse pork in cold water.
  • Season the pork with black pepper and saute in well oiled pan.
  • Color both sides then place in a 375 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • The middle of the pork should get hot.
  • Note: even when fully cooked, the meat will remain pink because of the brining process.
  • Let loin rest for 10 minutes then slice.
  • Place pork around a mound of yams.
  • Garnish with apples, chive batons and chile oil.
  • Optional garnish for the adventuresome would be fried yam chips.
  • Place cream and ginger in saucepan and on low heat, reduce the cream to 1 cup.
  • In another saucepan, place yams and garlic and completely cover with cold water.
  • Place on stove at medium heat and slowly boil.
  • Cook about 20 to 30 minutes or until yams can be pierced with a paring knife then easily fall off of the knife.
  • Strain well and place in food processor.
  • Puree and add cream, butter, salt and pepper.
  • Check for seasoning.
  • Keep warm for serving.
  • In a saute pan, coat with oil and caramelize onions.
  • Add five spice, sugar and apples.
  • Deglaze with juice and season.
  • Let mixture cook and reduce by 50 percent.
  • The apples should remain intact and have some liquid left.
  • Stir in the butter.
  • Check for seasoning.
  • Do not overcook apples to mash.
  • This can be done in advance and reheated for plating.