Tender Pork Stew With Beans Recipes

PORK STEW

Steps:

• Cut pork into 1-inch chunks (or a little larger).
• Heat a large soup pot or dutch oven on the stove over medium-high heat. Melt 1 tablespoon each oil and butter. Add pork, onions and celery and brown for several minutes on all sides; pork does not have to be cooked all the way through.
• Add garlic, dried thyme, rosemary and bay leaves and cook for about a minute, then add broth and tomatoes (with the juice). Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for about an hour or until pork is tender.
• Add potatoes, carrots, and green beans to the stew and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low again and cover. Simmer for an additional 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are tender and broth is slightly thickened.
• To thicken the stew: In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water or broth with a fork until smooth. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes or until thickened. Stir in fresh minced parsley.

PORK STEW WITH BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Wash and drain the beans several times. Place in a large pot with 8 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt and the bay leaves, oregano, pepper and cumin seed. Cover, but keep the lid slightly ajar, and boil until tender, about 2 hours, stirring occasionally and adding more water if needed to keep the beans covered. Drain beans and reserve cooking liquid.
• Pulse the jalapeños and garlic in a food processor, add the onions and pulse again. Remove and set aside.
• Add the cayenne, paprika and cornmeal to the food processor. While processing, pour in about 1 cup cooking liquid from the beans to make a smooth paste.
• Heat the oil in a heavy 6-quart pot. Brown the pork cubes in 4 to 5 batches over medium-high heat, removing them as they brown. When the last batch is browned, add the other pork cubes and their juices and the honey, cumin and cinnamon. Stir to scrape up brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
• Lower the heat and add the onion mixture. Cook, stirring, until heated through, then add the cornmeal paste and 4 cups bean cooking liquid (if there is not enough, add some water) and stir. Bring to a simmer, cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring frequently to keep the mixture from sticking. Add the beans and salt to taste, stir and simmer another 30 minutes. Serve over rice.