Pork Shoulder Braised in Milk
I tried a version of this recipe eons ago. I am not sure if I used a recipe from Elizabeth David's book, Italian Food, or a recipe from The River Cafe. Either way, perhaps because I used chicken that time, the result was not as satisfying. Pork shoulder is the way to go.
1 boneless pork shoulder, 3 1/2-4 lb. (1.75-2 kg.), trimmed of excess fat
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 Tbs. unsalted butter (the original recipe used 3 tbs butter and 1 tbs olive oil, you can do that too. I used all butter. Don't use more during the first stage of browning the meat, the pork has enough fat to keep it from sticking)
25 fresh sage leaves, coarsely chopped
4 cups (32 fl. oz./1 l.) whole milk
1 cup (8 fl. oz./250 ml.) heavy cream
3 bay leaves
Zest from 1 lemon, removed in wide strips with a vegetable peeler
1 tsp. fresh lemon juiceRemove the pork shoulder from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 1-1 1/2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
Season the roast generously all over with salt and pepper.
In a Dutch oven or other large, ovenproof pot over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoon of the butter with the oil. Add the pork, fat side down, and sear for 3-4 minutes. Repeat to brown all sides, about 15 minutes total. Adjust the heat level so that the meat sizzles actively but does not scorch. Transfer the pork to a platter and pour off the fat from the pan.
Return the pot to medium heat and melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Add the sage leaves. Cook for 1 minute. Stirring constantly, slowly pour in the milk and cream. Return the pork to the pot, fat side up, and add the bay leaves, lemon zest and 1 teaspoon salt. Season generously with pepper. When the liquid begins to steam, cover the pot (leaving only a very small slit) and transfer to the oven.
Cook the pork, turning it every 30 minutes, for 2 hours. Uncover and continue to cook until very tender, 30-60 more, again turning after 30 minutes if cooking for longer than 30 minutes more.
Transfer the pork very carefully to a platter (it will be very tender and likely fall apart, which is fine).
With a slotted spoon, remove the curds from the sauce, leaving behind the fat, and transfer to a fine-mesh sieve set over a small saucepan. Push the curds through the sieve to make a smooth, creamy sauce. Warm the sauce over low heat and stir in the lemon juice. Taste and adjust the seasoning. The sauce should be subtly tart from the lemon and slightly peppery, to cut the pork’s richness. Cut the pork into thick chunks and serve at once, passing the sauce at the table. Serves 6-8.
Leftovers (if any) are perfect in a hot sandwich with pickles and mustard.
1 boneless pork shoulder, 3 1/2-4 lb. (1.75-2 kg.), trimmed of excess fat
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 Tbs. unsalted butter (the original recipe used 3 tbs butter and 1 tbs olive oil, you can do that too. I used all butter. Don't use more during the first stage of browning the meat, the pork has enough fat to keep it from sticking)
25 fresh sage leaves, coarsely chopped
4 cups (32 fl. oz./1 l.) whole milk
1 cup (8 fl. oz./250 ml.) heavy cream
3 bay leaves
Zest from 1 lemon, removed in wide strips with a vegetable peeler
1 tsp. fresh lemon juiceRemove the pork shoulder from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 1-1 1/2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
Season the roast generously all over with salt and pepper.
In a Dutch oven or other large, ovenproof pot over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoon of the butter with the oil. Add the pork, fat side down, and sear for 3-4 minutes. Repeat to brown all sides, about 15 minutes total. Adjust the heat level so that the meat sizzles actively but does not scorch. Transfer the pork to a platter and pour off the fat from the pan.
Return the pot to medium heat and melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Add the sage leaves. Cook for 1 minute. Stirring constantly, slowly pour in the milk and cream. Return the pork to the pot, fat side up, and add the bay leaves, lemon zest and 1 teaspoon salt. Season generously with pepper. When the liquid begins to steam, cover the pot (leaving only a very small slit) and transfer to the oven.
Cook the pork, turning it every 30 minutes, for 2 hours. Uncover and continue to cook until very tender, 30-60 more, again turning after 30 minutes if cooking for longer than 30 minutes more.
Transfer the pork very carefully to a platter (it will be very tender and likely fall apart, which is fine).
With a slotted spoon, remove the curds from the sauce, leaving behind the fat, and transfer to a fine-mesh sieve set over a small saucepan. Push the curds through the sieve to make a smooth, creamy sauce. Warm the sauce over low heat and stir in the lemon juice. Taste and adjust the seasoning. The sauce should be subtly tart from the lemon and slightly peppery, to cut the pork’s richness. Cut the pork into thick chunks and serve at once, passing the sauce at the table. Serves 6-8.
Leftovers (if any) are perfect in a hot sandwich with pickles and mustard.
Comments