Pork Cheeks Recipes

CIDER-BRAISED PORK CHEEKS

Steps:

• Season both sides of pork cheeks with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with flour and press it into the meat to coat thoroughly.
• Heat clarified butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Sear meat on both sides until richly browned, adjusting heat lower if necessary. When cheeks are browned, reduce heat to medium. Transfer cheeks to a plate to rest.
• Remove all but 2 tablespoons fat from the skillet. Add onions, carrots, and celery to skillet. Cook and stir until softened and sweet, seasoning with a pinch of salt. Add vinegar and stir to deglaze the pan. Pour in the cider and chicken stock. Bring to a simmer. Add sage and rosemary. Reduce heat to low and transfer cheeks back to pan. Cover. Cook until fork tender but not falling apart, 2 to 3 hours depending on the size of the pork cheeks. Transfer to a plate.
• Bring liquid to a boil over high heat, skimming off fat as it rises to the surface. Reduce volume of liquid by about 60 to 70%. Sauce will start to thicken up. Taste for salt and season as needed. Transfer cheeks back to liquid. Continue to cook over medium-low heat until cheeks are heated through and tender and sauce is thick enough to coat cheeks.

PORK CHEEKS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a 4-quart Dutch oven. Add the mirepoix. Cover and cook until the vegetables are soft but not browned, about 10 minutes, stirring once or twice. Place the cheeks on top of the vegetables and add enough water to cover. Cover and bring to a boil.
• Place the pan in the oven. Braise cheeks for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until tender.
• With a slotted spoon, remove the cheeks to a bowl. (Reserve cooking liquid.) Remove any fat and shred the meat using 2 forks. Sprinkle with salt.
• When the meat is cool enough to handle, use a little cooking liquid to form into 2- to 3-inch ''sausages.''
• Wrap each sausage in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.
• To serve, unwrap the sausages and slice each into four pieces. Brush the flat ends of each slice with a thin coat of mustard and then lightly coat with cornmeal.
• Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a skillet. In batches, saute each slice until crisp and lightly browned.

SHERRY-BRAISED PORK CHEEKS

Steps:

• Heat 1 - 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pan then add the onion. Cook gently for 10 - 15 minutes until softened and lighty coloured. Remove and set aside.
• Toss the cheeks in the seasoned flour. Add a little more oil to the pan and turn up the heat. Brown the pork cheeks all over in batches. Turn the heat down to medium.
• Return all the pork and the reserved onions to the pan. Add the garlic, cumin and paprika and cook for a minute, then pour in the sherry. Use your spoon to scrape the bottom of the pan and mix in all the flavours.
• Pour in the beef stock then bring the pan to a simmer. Simmer gently for 2 hours or until the cheeks are tender.
• Scatter with parsley leaves and flaked almonds. Serve with rice or buttery mashed potato.