Sage Braid Recipes

SAGE BRAID

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment. Divide dough into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 16-inch-long, 3/4-inch-wide rope.
• Braid 3 ropes together on a prepared sheet, tucking in sage leaves as you work. Pinch ends to seal; tuck under loaf. Brush with beaten egg. Drape loosely with buttered plastic wrap. Repeat with remaining dough, sage leaves, and egg wash. Let rise in a warm spot until doubled in bulk, about 55 minutes.
• Bake loaves until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Brush center with butter and continue baking until outer crust sounds hollow when bottom is tapped, about 8 minutes more. Brush all over with butter. Let cool completely on a wire rack before serving.

BRAISED PORK CHOPS WITH SAGE

Steps:

• Combine the sugar and 1/4 cup salt in a shallow bowl; whisk in 3 cups water. Pierce the pork all over with a fork, then add to the bowl and soak 10 minutes. Remove and pat dry.
• Put the flour on a plate. Season the pork with pepper, then dredge in the flour. Heat the olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat; add the pork and cook, undisturbed, until golden on the bottom, 5 minutes. Add the sage to the skillet; flip the pork chops so they rest on top of the sage. Scatter the garlic, lemon slices and pepperoncini around the pork. Cook, undisturbed, until golden on the other side, about 5 more minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, chicken broth and 1/2 cup water to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium low. Simmer, flipping the pork halfway through, until the liquid is reduced by half and the meat is tender, about 15 minutes. Serve with the couscous; top with the parsley.

MILK-BRAISED PORK WITH LEMON AND SAGE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250°F.
• Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high until shimmering. Season pork all over with salt and pepper and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, 12-15 minutes. Pour off excess fat from pot. Add sage, lemon peel, and milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover pot and transfer to oven. Roast pork until very tender, 3 1/2-4 hours.
• Transfer meat to a serving platter. Discard lemon peel, then gently toss Swiss chard in remaining sauce in pot until wilted. Using tongs, transfer Swiss chard to platter alongside pork. Top both with remaining sauce and serve.