Govind Armstrong adores the variety of heady spices in his aromatic brine, which includes cloves, juniper and mustard seeds. He often uses them to flavor a whole rack of pork, which he finds easier to cook than individual chops. He also likes to finish the rack on a grill to add smoky flavor. More Pork Roast Recipes
How to Make It
In a large saucepan, combine the juniper berries, fennel seeds, coriander seeds and cloves and cook over moderately high heat, shaking the pot frequently, until the spices are toasted and fragrant, 3 minutes. Add the chiles, mustard seeds and bay leaves and toast for 30 seconds longer. Stir in the thyme, add 1 quart of water to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and whisk in the sugar and 3/4 cup of salt until dissolved. Transfer the mixture to a stockpot and let cool to room temperature. Stir in the remaining 4 quarts of cold water, then add the pork roast. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours.
Preheat the oven to 375°. Remove the pork from the brine; discard the brine. Rinse the roast and pat dry with paper towels. Season well with salt and pepper.
Heat a very large ovenproof skillet over moderately high heat. Add the pork, fat side down, and brown all over, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the roast is well browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 145°. Transfer the roast to a cutting board and let rest for 15 minutes. Carve the pork roast into 8 chops. Serve with Sweet Onion Puree and Crisp Sage Tempura.