Braised Pork With Pearl Onions And Grapes Recipes

PORK MEDALLIONS WITH GRAPES AND PEARL ONIONS

Steps:

• Bring a medium pot of salted water to boil, add the onions, and cook until almost tender but not falling apart (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving 1 cup of the onion-cooking broth.
• Cut each pork tenderloin into 6 chunks. With a meat mallet, pound each to a thickness of about 1/2 inch.
• In a large skillet, over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp of the butter in the olive oil. Spread flour on a plate for dredging. Season the pork with 1/2 tsp of salt, and lightly dredge it in the flour. Brown the pork on both sides, about 2 minutes per side, and remove to a plate.
• Add the onions to the skillet, and let them cook a few minutes until lightly carmelized. Add the white wine, and bring to a boil. Once the wine is almost reduced, add the sage, the reserved onion-cooking broth, and the remaining 1/2 tsp of salt. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes, until it is reduced by almost half. Whisk in the vinegar and the remaining 2 tbsp of butter. Add the pork back to the skillet with the grapes, and simmer until the sauce is thickened and grapes just begin to soften (about 3-4 minutes).

SLOW-BRAISED PORK WITH BLACK GRAPES AND BALSAMIC

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Add pork to pot and cook until browned on all sides, about 13 minutes total. Transfer pork to plate; discard fat in pot.
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in same pot over medium heat. Add shallots and grapes; sauté until shallots are golden, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Add sugar; sauté 30 seconds. Add vinegar; bring mixture to boil and cook until slightly reduced, about 3 minutes. Add broth, all herb sprigs, and pork with juices from plate. Bring to boil. Cover pot and transfer to oven. Braise pork 1 hour. Using tongs, turn pork over and continue braising until meat is very tender, about 45 minutes longer. Using slotted spoon, transfer pork to platter; tent with foil.
• Remove herb sprigs from pot and skim fat from surface of cooking liquid. Boil cooking liquid over high heat until thickened, about 7 minutes. Season sauce with salt and pepper. Pour over pork and serve.