Is there anything better to braise than pork shoulder?! Here's a recipe from an old Gourmet but I didn't follow it to the letter. The changes I made, I believe, were for the better.
CIDER-BRAISED PORK SHOULDER WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS
Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 3 hr
1 (3- to 4-lb) bone-in fresh pork shoulder half (preferably arm picnic)
2 garlic cloves, cut into slivers
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 lb onions (5 or 6 medium), halved lengthwise, then cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
3/4 cup unfiltered apple cider
Preheat oven to 325°F.
Score fat and any skin on pork in a crosshatch pattern. Make slits all over meat with a small sharp knife and insert a garlic sliver in each slit. Pat pork dry and season with salt and pepper.
Heat oil in a 4- to 5-quart ovenproof heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown meat on all sides, turning occasionally with the aid of tongs and a carving fork, about 8 minutes. Transfer pork to a plate.
Add onions to pot and sauté over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and starting to turn golden, about 5 minutes. Add 3/4 teaspoon salt and sauté, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden and caramelized, 8 to 10 minutes more.
Stir in cider and return pork to pot.
Cover pot with a tight-fitting lid and braise pork in middle of oven until very tender, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
Transfer pork to a serving dish with the aid of tongs and carving fork. Boil cooking juices with onions until mixture is reduced to about 2 cups, 2 to 3 minutes, then season with salt and pepper and serve with pork.
Cooks' note:
• Pork can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, uncovered, then chill, covered. Reheat in liquid, covered, at 325°F 1 hour.
Makes 4 to 6 servings.
Gourmet
December 2001
My notes: Pork shoulder is excellent for braising & this one is now added to our favourites. I doubled the onions; glad I did. I would remove the skin next time and more of the fat as I don't find pork fat delicious in a sauce and I did skim it at the end.
It doesn't need that long cooking. I did 2 hours for a 3 lb. roast, and although I really sealed the lid, it was drier than some other braised pork. I would roast less than 2 hours next time. I used a German apple cider but I don't think subbing apple juice if that's all that you have, would make much difference. We gave this 9.5 out of 10. I served it with grainy Dijon mashed potatoes. Good!
CIDER-BRAISED PORK SHOULDER WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS
Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 3 hr
1 (3- to 4-lb) bone-in fresh pork shoulder half (preferably arm picnic)
2 garlic cloves, cut into slivers
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 lb onions (5 or 6 medium), halved lengthwise, then cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
3/4 cup unfiltered apple cider
Preheat oven to 325°F.
Score fat and any skin on pork in a crosshatch pattern. Make slits all over meat with a small sharp knife and insert a garlic sliver in each slit. Pat pork dry and season with salt and pepper.
Heat oil in a 4- to 5-quart ovenproof heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown meat on all sides, turning occasionally with the aid of tongs and a carving fork, about 8 minutes. Transfer pork to a plate.
Add onions to pot and sauté over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and starting to turn golden, about 5 minutes. Add 3/4 teaspoon salt and sauté, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden and caramelized, 8 to 10 minutes more.
Stir in cider and return pork to pot.
Cover pot with a tight-fitting lid and braise pork in middle of oven until very tender, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
Transfer pork to a serving dish with the aid of tongs and carving fork. Boil cooking juices with onions until mixture is reduced to about 2 cups, 2 to 3 minutes, then season with salt and pepper and serve with pork.
Cooks' note:
• Pork can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, uncovered, then chill, covered. Reheat in liquid, covered, at 325°F 1 hour.
Makes 4 to 6 servings.
Gourmet
December 2001
My notes: Pork shoulder is excellent for braising & this one is now added to our favourites. I doubled the onions; glad I did. I would remove the skin next time and more of the fat as I don't find pork fat delicious in a sauce and I did skim it at the end.
It doesn't need that long cooking. I did 2 hours for a 3 lb. roast, and although I really sealed the lid, it was drier than some other braised pork. I would roast less than 2 hours next time. I used a German apple cider but I don't think subbing apple juice if that's all that you have, would make much difference. We gave this 9.5 out of 10. I served it with grainy Dijon mashed potatoes. Good!