Pork Tenderloin with Fried Okra and Pickled Watermelon

• 12 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
• 12 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
• 2 jalapeno slices
• 2 cups diced watermelon
• 1 cup kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
• 3 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
• 6 black peppercorns
• 6 coriander seeds
• 1 black tea bag, such as English Breakfast
• Two 1-pound pork tenderloins
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Canola oil, for frying
• 14 cup cornmeal
• 14 cup cornstarch
• 14 cup all-purpose flour
• 12 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
• 14 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 14 teaspoon dried ground sumac (see Note)
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 12 okra

1. In a large bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of the sugar with 1 tablespoon of water until the sugar has dissolved.
2. Add the vinegar and jalapeno and let stand for 10 minutes.
3. Remove and discard the jalapeno.
4. Add the watermelon to the bowl, toss to coat and let stand for 1 hour, tossing occasionally.
5. Drain the watermelon and season with salt.
6. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the 1 cup of salt with the remaining 12 cup of sugar and the cardamom, peppercorns, coriander seeds, tea bag and 2 quarts of water.
7. Bring to a simmer.
8. Strain the brine into a large heatproof bowl and let cool completely.
9. Immerse the pork tenderloins in the brine and let stand at room temperature for 45 minutes.
10. Rinse the pork and pat dry.
11. Preheat the oven to 375.
12. In a large ovenproof skillet, heat the olive oil.
13. Add the pork and cook on all sides until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
14. Transfer the pork to the oven and roast for about 15 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the meat registers 150.
15. Let the pork rest for 15 minutes.
16. Heat 1 inch of canola oil in a medium, heavy pot until it reaches 350 on a candy thermometer.
17. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, cornstarch, flour, Old Bay, smoked paprika, sumac and 12 teaspoon of salt.
18. Pour the buttermilk into a small bowl.
19. Dip the okra in the buttermilk, then dredge in the cornmeal mixture.
20. Fry the okra until tender and golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.
21. Transfer the fried okra to a paper towellined plate.
22. Slice the pork and serve with the pickled watermelon and fried okra.

sugar, rice vinegar, jalapeno slices, watermelon, kosher salt, cardamom pods, black peppercorns, coriander seeds, black tea, pork, olive oil, canola oil, cornmeal, cornstarch, flour, paprika, ground sumac, buttermilk, okra

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/pork-tenderloin-fried-okra-and-pickled-watermelon (may not work)