Pirate Ship Pork Loin Recipes

Steps:

• Set the watermelon on its side (stem ends facing left and right) and cut off a small flat piece of rind so the watermelon is stable.
• Use the screw top of the rum bottle to trace a circle on the top of the watermelon. Cut out the circle to make a hole exposing the flesh. Tilt the watermelon on its side and press the bottle into the watermelon all the way up to the neck. Turn the watermelon back so the bottle is facing downward. Put the watermelon on a tray and refrigerate until all the rum soaks in, 12 to 24 hours depending on the density of the watermelon.
• To make the ship: Cut off the top half of the watermelon in one piece lengthwise, just above the stem. Use a melon baller to scoop out as many balls as possible from the top and bottom halves of the melon and put them in a large bowl. Scrape the top and bottom halves down to the rind with a spoon. The bottom half of the melon will be your ship.
• Use a paring knife to cut a notch about 1 inch deep and 3 inches wide on each side of the ship. Mark 4 evenly spaced portholes under each notch using an apple corer (don't press all the way through). Use a paring knife to cut out the marked circles.
• Toss the chunks of mango, pineapple and papaya (reserving the slices) with the watermelon balls in the large bowl and fill the boat. (If there is a little fruit salad leftover, use it to refill the boat as your guests eat.)
• To make the sails: Cut the top half of the watermelon in half lengthwise and use the pieces to make sails. From the center most curved sections of the rinds cut out two 3-inch square sails. Cut two 2-inch sails and one 1 1/2-inch sail from the remaining rind pieces. Trim the backs of the sail to make them neat, but leave them thick.
• Thread 3 of the sails onto a 12-inch wood skewer in this order: a 3-inch sail on the bottom, 2-inch sail in the middle and 1 1/2-inch sail on the top. Thread the remaining 2 sails on an 8-inch wood skewer with the largest sail on the bottom. Stick the skewers with the sails into the fruit, putting the 3-sail mast in the back.
• Use a paring knife to cut 4 small flags from the papaya slices. Stick a flag on the top of each skewer mast. Stick 2 toothpicks in the back of the boat and add a flag to each.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Steps:

• Mix the soy sauce, orange juice concentrate, orange marmalade, honey, balsamic vinegar, and garlic together in a small saucepan over medium heat; bring to a simmer and whisk until smooth. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
• Place the pork tenderloin into a resealable plastic bag and pour in the marinade. Squeeze the air out of the bag, seal, and turn the bag several times to coat the pork tenderloin with marinade. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place the pork loin and marinade into a baking dish; cover the dish with aluminum foil and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat reads at least 155 degrees F (70 degrees C), about 20 minutes. Remove the cover and continue roasting until the pork has browned, 5 to 10 more minutes.
• Remove the cover and allow the meat and juices to stand for 10 minutes.
• To serve, slice the meat and drizzle with pan juices.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, whisk cornstarch in water until smooth, whisk into the pan drippings, and place over medium heat. Allow to simmer until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.

Steps:

• Rinse loins and pat dry. Cut loins into 6 to 8-ounce pieces. Sprinkle a liberal amount of kosher salt on all surfaces of the albacore. Coat fish with light brown sugar and work kosher salt and sugar in all crevices. Smoke the albacore at 170 degrees F for 2 1/2 to 3 hours using a combination apple and oak wood chips.

Steps:

• For the Sonoran Spice: In food processor, grind peppercorns and star anise until completely powdered. Add cumin seed and chamomile; grind until smooth and then add remaining ingredients. Set aside
• For the Five Onion Polenta: Saute onions in a very hot and dry pan, set aside. In a sauce pot, bring milk to a boil, stir in polenta and cook for 6 minutes, until very thick. Add sauteed onions, salt, and pepper. Line a sheet pan with plastic wrap; spread the polenta on the pan and level it (bang the pan to settle it, if necessary). Cool, then cut into triangle portions. Set aside.
• For the Sage Blackberry Roasted Shallot Compote: Saute the shallots until soft, but not burned. In a saucepot, saute bacon until lightly brown. Add liqueur and deglaze the pan. Add all remaining ingredients, except the cornstarch and water. Heat to 180 degrees. Mix the cornstarch and water to form a slurry. Add slurry to thicken mixture, stirring very lightly so the blackberries don't break up. Compote should be chunky, not smooth. Set aside.
• To prepare the Elk: Coat the elk with the molasses. Dredge in sonoran spice and place in a very hot cast iron skillet. Sear elk on both sides until dark in color. Place in a preheated 300 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until desired internal temperature is met. Place elk on polenta pieces and top with the compote.

Steps:

• PORK CHOPS: Combine all ingredients except chops in a shallow plate. Brush chops with olive oil and dredge them in seasonings mixture, gently pressing it onto meat. Transfer chops to a platter and cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Preheat grill to high heat. Place chops on the grill and cook 5-6 minutes per side or according to desired doneness, brushing with BBQ sauce often. Remove chops to a clean platter and loosely tent with foil to rest.
• BBQ SAUCE: Saute onion and garlic in oil in a saucepan over medium heat. When it's soft add remaining ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes.