Braised Pork Shoulder With Apple Fig Sauce Recipes

PORK LOIN WITH FIG AND PORT SAUCE

Steps:

• For the sauce: In a heavy medium saucepan, combine the first 6 ingredients. Boil over medium-high heat until reduced by half, about 30 minutes. Discard the herb sprigs and cinnamon sticks (some of the rosemary leaves will remain in the port mixture). Transfer the port mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. Blend in the butter. Season the sauce, to taste, with salt and pepper. (The sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium heat before using.)
• For the pork: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Stir the oil, rosemary, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper in a small bowl to blend. Place the pork loin in a heavy roasting pan. Spread the oil mixture over the pork to coat completely. Roast until an instant read meat thermometer inserted into the center of the pork registers 145 degrees F, turning the pork every 15 minutes to ensure even browning, about 45 minutes total.
• Transfer the pork to a cutting board and tent with foil to keep warm. Let the pork rest 15 minutes. Meanwhile, stir the chicken broth into the roasting pan. Place the pan over medium heat, and scrape the bottom of the pan to remove any browned bits. Bring the pan juices to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Using a large sharp knife, cut the pork crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange the pork slices on plates. Spoon the jus over. Drizzle the warm fig sauce around and serve immediately.

BRAISED PORK SHOULDER WITH APPLE-FIG SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Set the oven at 350 degrees and set rack in the lower third of ovrn 2. Pat the pork dry with paper towels and sprinkle with salt. In a large flameproof casserole oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Brown the pork on all sides for about 10 minutes. Use two large spoons to transfer pork to a bowl. 3. Add the onion, carrots, garlic, ginger and rosemary to the pan to the pan. Cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until they begin to soften. 4. Return the pork and any juices in the bowl to the pan. Pour in cold water. Turn up the heat to high and bring to a boil. Cover the pan and transfer in to the oven. 5. Cook the pork for 3 hours or until a fork inserted into the meat pulls out easily when withdrawn. 6. Meanwhile soak the figs in boiling water for 15 minutes or until softened. 7. Transfer pork to a bowl; set the pan aside. 8. Pour the cooking juices through a sieve into a bowl discarding the vegetables. Skim the fat from the liquid with a large spoon of gravy separator. 9. In the pork pan melt the butter over medium high heat. Cook the apples for 4 minutes stirring occasionally or until they start to brown. Add the figs and their soaking liquid and cook 1 minute more. Add the pork cooking juices and bring to a boil. Return the pork and any juices in the bowl to the pan. Lower the heat, cover the pan and simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes, turning the pork until it is hot. 10. On a cutting board, halve the pork (reserve half for tomorrow's pulled pork sandwiches). Cut the remaining meat into thick slices. Set aside 1 cup of sauce without fruit (for the sandwiches). Spoon remaining sauce over the meat.

APPLE BRAISED PORK

Steps:

• Combine the thyme, sage and pepper; rub over pork. In a Dutch oven, brown meat on all sides in oil; remove and keep warm. In the same pan, saute onion and garlic until tender. Add the apple, apple juice concentrate and salt; bring to a boil. Return meat to the pan. , Cover and bake at 325° for 55-75 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°, basting occasionally with juices.Remove to a serving platter and keep warm. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing., Pour cooking liquid into a measuring cup; skim off fat. Cool cooking liquid slightly; place in a blender or food processor. Cover and process until smooth. Serve with the roast.

CIDER-BRAISED PORK SHOULDER

Steps:

• Generously salt all sides of the pork shoulder chunks. Heat oil in a heavy pot over high heat. Brown pork shoulder pieces until surface is seared and crusty, about 3 or 4 minutes per side. Transfer browned pork to a plate. Add onions to oil and reduce heat to medium and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook and stir about 2 minutes. Add torn sage leaves; cook until onions soften and begin to brown, stirring frequently. Pour cider into pot; stir to deglaze bottom. Raise heat to high and bring to a boil. Stir in cider vinegar. Reduce heat to low.
• Transfer pork shoulder pieces to cider mixture. Cover; simmer gently on low 1 hour. Remove lid and turn pieces over. Cover; simmer on low until meat is fork tender, 1 to 2 more hours. Transfer pork to a bowl with a slotted spoon.
• Raise heat to high and bring sauce to a simmer. Whisk in creme fraiche. Simmer until liquid is reduced by half and is slightly thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in a pinch of cayenne. Transfer pork back to pot; reduce heat to low. Baste pork with sauce while it heats through and becomes perfectly tender, and the sauce is as thick as you want it, about 15 more minutes.

ITALIAN BRAISED PORK SHOULDER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Rinse and dry pork roast. Season all sides with salt and pepper.
• Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add roast to the hot skillet; turn and sear until browned and crisp, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer roast to a large lidded baking dish, leaving pan drippings in the skillet.
• Add carrots, onion, shallot, and garlic to the hot skillet and reduce heat to medium. Saute in the pan drippings until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes; do not overcook.
• Pour red wine, beef broth, and tomato puree over the roast in the baking dish. Add sauteed vegetables, parsley, and thyme.
• Cover and bake in the preheated oven until meat pulls apart easily, 2 to 3 hours.