Mac Bros' Pork Nesia is now an official FoB favourite
With Train
I can’t remember the last time I trusted my reputation, such that it is, on a pre-made and packaged pork rub. I’m one of those suspicious souls that somehow trusts members of the FoB squad and my own vague recollections of my Aunty Vadz’s culinary concoctions and accoutrements to impress fellow feasters.
You may have already read my brief [Ed. Hilarious!] run-down on my grilled pork loin interpretation, and you’ll remember that I only use a 100% virgin olive oil with salt and pepper to get the job done. On occasion, I’ll fumble blindly through the mists of time to recollect an ancient zesty, Caribbean-influenced salsa as a side, but that’s it.
So, one afternoon, I found myself at Alex Junior Espresso being heartily persuaded to try a product by Mac Bros called Pork Nesia – a pork rub. Kieran, of Alex Junior fame, is an incredible human and possibly the fussiest and most fastidious coffee impresarios I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing but his pork rub bona fides were um… were unconvincing. Nonetheless, in pursuit of something new I relented and here is my brutally frank assessment of the product, my cook, and the end result.
Pork Nesia rub – now I remember why we gave you a try
The product is presented in a tubed container much like millions of other spice concoctions available all over the globe except perhaps Antarctica. The red- themed label and matching ruddy hue of the ingredients had me guessing at the Scoville Heat Units lurking within. Surely, chilli would be a protagonist in the porcine plot. Surely! Aside from that, I went into this with an open(ish) mind.
The setting:
I had invited some trusted interstate guests to FoB central to sample the Nesia-dusted and rubbed pork loin entrée: Dman and Pete, both of European extraction, were both gifted notoriously discerning palates - perfect for shredding the appearance, texture and taste of this Nesia-rubbed loin and confirming my admittedly archaic notion that salt, pepper and oil is all pork needs – and wants. The method:
When it comes to trialling rubs, I never completely abandon the precepts and procedures that have held me in good stead over previous cooks… unless they’ve failed horribly (and that has happened from time to time). So, I still apply my beloved formula of oil, S&P but in lesser proportions. I do this so that I can directly compare the result to what I usually do for a dish. This means that the dish is still uniquely my own but also gives me a better idea of the power, flavour profile and penetration of the rub.
I then went ahead and applied a generous but not ridiculous amount of Pork Nesia to my prepped loin – dusting the scored skin and fat as well as the flesh on the underside. Of course, I took a moment to smell the rub before application and I found the aroma quite alluring… promising even.
The result:
From Dman the Dutchman:
After the usual approving nods, post the initial inspection, Dman crunched through the pork crackling and into the flesh itself. Another nod and then, “Oh yeah, nice!”
A moment later: “Oh Wow!! This has a lot to say… and I like it!” (Chewing) “mmm”, another bite, “Mmm, complex flavours. Very very interesting. Rich, full and again, the flavour profiles tend to form an orderly line and work their way across the tastebuds one by one. Brilliant!”
From Pete:
Now this gentleman is not a fan of rich sauces (or any sauce), preferring instead to carry out an honest and exacting interrogation of each element of the rub and the meat unto itself. A dour but fair judge, his comments would be both revealing and uncompromising.
Silence.
More silence.
A glance at me… and then a glance at the Pork Nesia.
“Amazing!”
That’s all I needed to hear. Verdict:
So, what does it all mean? I think my guest judges were both right. Pork Nesia by Mac Bros:
- Knows when to step up and when to let the pork do the talking. Well-balanced, it plays an able second fiddle to the delicate natural flavour of a nice pork loin without crying out for star billing.
- Plays well with others (meaning spices).
- Never lets you forget that you’ve added something wonderful to your pork dish.
Score:
A rock solid 8.5/10.
Thanks for coming Pork Nesia, we’ll see you again soon!