Old Fashioned Head Cheese Recipes

HEAD CHEESE

Steps:

• Place pork hocks, veal shank and salt in large kettle. Cover entirely with water. Bring to full boil then reduce heat to slow simmer. Cook until fork penetrates meat easily. Periodically rearrange meat so it doesn't stick to bottom of kettle. Skim off scum which forms on top of water. Keep adding boiling water to keep meat covered until done.
• When meat is done, place on large cookie sheet for cooling. Strain remaining water into another kettle to remove any small bones and other matter; set aside strained water. Place meat on tray and cool. Remove all fat and bones. Dice remaining meat, skin and soft gristle. Add diced meat to strained water. Bring to full boil and reduce to very slow simmer. Add salt to taste at this time. Periodically test mixture to see if it sets by pouring a small amount in a bowl and putting in freezer. Mixture is set when it is the consistency of jello. Add vinegar and nutmeg and remove from heat.
• Ladle into bread pans making sure to distribute meat evenly. Fill pans no more than 3/4 full. Leave at room temperature until cool then refrigerate overnight. Next day, unmold onto plastic wrap and double wrap in foil. refrigerate until ready to use. To serve, remove any fat from top of loaves and cut into chunks. Some prefer more vinegar and salt added at this time.

HOG'S HEAD CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a 4 quart pot over medium-high heat. Add the pork roast, and brown on all sides. Reduce heat to medium, and add the onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Season with garlic, parsley, basil, salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Pour in 3 cups of water or pork stock, and bring to a boil.
• Cover, and simmer over medium heat for 2 hours, stirring vigorously every 15 minutes. When the pork is ready, it should be completely shredded and reduced to a stringy consistency.
• Dissolve the gelatin in 1 cup of boiling water, then stir into the pork mixture very well. Pour into a mold or casserole dish, and chill until set, about 8 hours.
• To unmold, dip the bottom of the mold in hot tap water for about 1 minute, then invert onto a serving tray. Serve with your favorite crackers.

UKRAINIAN HOG'S HEAD (HEAD CHEESE)

Steps:

• Have the hog's head cut into quarters by the meat dealer.
• Remove the brains, teeth, snout, and eyes, but retain the ears.
• Cut off the fattest part of the head for lard. Scrape and wash each piece thoroughly. Wash, trim, scald, and skin the tongue.
• Soak the meat in cold water to cover for 30 minutes to extract the blood.
• Drain and wash again. Cover the meat with fresh cold water; add the salt, bring to a boil, and skim. Cover and simmer for 1 hour.
• Then add the remaining ingredients and continue cooking until the meat separates from the bones.
• This will take about 5 hours or longer. Be sure to simmer the meat over a LOW heat during the entire period of cooking. Rapid boiling will make the meat stock milky in color.
• Drain off the meat stock and save it.
• Remove the onion, garlic, and spices. Pick out all the bones from the meat. Cut the meat into coarse pieces.
• The stock may be flavoured with a freshly crushed clove of garlic and then strained.
• Season the stock to taste.
• If a firm jelly is desired, soften 1 tablespoon of gelatin in 1/4 cup of cold water and then stir into the hot stock.
• Put the meat into a mold and add enough strained stock to cover it. Chill thoroughly. Remove the fat from the top. Serve in slices.