Braised Pork Shanks With Mushroom Dumplings Recipes

BRAISED PORK SHANK

Steps:

• For the brine: Bring the water to a simmer in a large non-reactive pot. Turn off the heat and add salt, sugar, coriander, peppercorns, rosemary, bay leaf and garlic and bring to a simmer. Whisk until the salt and sugar is dissolved, and then let it cool in the fridge or an ice bath until the brine hits a temperature of 35 degrees F.
• Add the shanks to the cooled brine and weigh down with a plate to ensure that the shanks are completely submerged. Refrigerate for 8 to 12 hours.
• After brining, remove the shanks from the brining liquid to a baking sheet lined with a clean kitchen towel to dry off a bit. Discard the brining liquid.
• For the braise: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Heat a large Dutch oven or roasting pan over medium-high heat. Pour in enough oil so that it covers the bottom of the Dutch oven or roasting pan completely. Put some flour in a shallow dish. Add a heavy pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper to the flour and whisk to combine. Dredge the shanks in the flour, shaking off the excess, and add them to the pan. In order to get a nice even golden-brown sear, you don't want to overcrowd the pan. (Do this step in two batches if necessary.) Brown the shanks on all sides, a few minutes per side, then remove to a plate while you sear the rest.
• Add the celery, onions, carrots, garlic, rosemary and thyme with a large pinch of salt. Sweat the vegetables until tender, about 5 minutes. Deglaze with the white wine and reduce by three-quarters. Add the apple cider and reduce by half. Add half the chicken stock and bring the braising liquid up to a simmer. Taste it for seasoning, adding additional salt and pepper if necessary. Place the shanks back into the pan; the liquid should go about halfway up the shanks. If it does not, add the rest of the liquid until it reaches the desired half. Put the pan in the oven and cook until the meat is tender, about 200 degrees F when checked with a meat thermometer, 4 to 5 hours.
• Remove the shanks from the oven and carefully transfer the shanks to another large pan. Then strain the braising liquid over the shanks. Cool them in the liquid overnight in the refrigerator.
• The next day, reheat the shanks in their liquid. Then remove them to a large serving platter. Spoon some of the braising liquid over the meat.

BRAISED LAMB SHANKS WITH FRESH ROSEMARY

Steps:

• Sprinkle lamb with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in heavy, large pot over medium-high heat.
• Working in batches, add lamb to pot and cook until brown on all sides, about 8 minutes.
• Transfer to bowl.
• Remove all but about 2 tablespoons of oil from pan.
• Add onions, carrots, and garlic to pot and sauté till golden, about 10 minute.
• Stir in all remaining ingredients.
• Return lamb to pot, pressing down to submerge.
• Bring liquid to boil, reduce heat to medium low, and cover.
• Simmer until meat is tender, about 2 hours.
• Uncover pot; simmer till meat is very tender, about 30 minutes.
• (Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill until cold, cover, and keep chilled. Rewarm over medium heat before continuing.) Transfer lamb to platter; tent with foil.
• Boil juices in pot till thickened, about 15 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper and spoon over lamb.

BRAISED PORK (TENDERLOIN) WITH MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F.
• Lightly grease 1 1/2-quart casserole.
• Cut pork into 2 x 1/2 inch strips, cutting at right angle to the grain of meat.
• Dredge meat in seasoned flour.
• Heat oil in large frying pan over medium-high heat.
• Add meat and cook until well browned.
• Remove meat to prepared casserole.
• Cook mushrooms in same frying pan, adding another tablespoon of oil if necessary.
• When browned, transfer to the casserole.
• Add chicken broth and wine to frying pan.
• Scrape up any remaining bits of meat.
• Add summer savory and onion.
• Simmer for about 2 minutes, then pour over meat and mushrooms.
• Cover and bake for about 45 minutes, or until meat is very tender.
• Serve with hot cooked rice or noodles.