Wednesday, July 18, 2018

How To Hassle A Pork Shoulder

Pork shoulder/boston butt is hands down my favorite cut of meat. It's nearly foolproof, it's incredibly versatile, and it's one of the most inexpensive items per pound in the butcher section. Here are some of my favorites - notice just how different they are. They're more like frameworks than recipes - feel free to ask, or google away for more ideas or specific instructions.


One thing, before we start: Do not, under any circumstances, shred up the meat until it's super fine. Not with forks, especially not with a mixer. Gently pull it apart, but mostly, let it slump apart. Well-cooked meat should separate in moist chunks, not dry shreds or paste.


Ragu
This is SO good with fresh  noodles, but egg noodles or regular pasta is also delicious. 

2 big cans whole tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1 onion, diced
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper
Herbs you like
Grated parmesan
Cooked pasta


In an oven-safe pot or pan big enough for the meat, if you have one, or in a  sweat the garlic and onion in the oil until translucent over medium heat. Add the tomato paste and if you want 'em, dried herbs. Cook, stirring constantly, for a minute. Add the tomatoes and stir. Season to taste with salt & pepper. If you used an oven-safe dish, put in the pork; if not, pour sauce into a baking dish and add the pork. Cook for 6 hrs @300, or until meat is falling apart tender. Break up any big chunks of pork, gently letting it fall apart into chunks. Sprinkle with fresh herbs (basil & parsley here) and grated cheese.


Bo Ssam

Here is the recipe, from David Change of Momofuku. Idk about the oysters, I've never done that part, but everything else about this is inexpensive and easy and SO delicious. A great way to dip your toe into Korean flavors.


Sweet Green Curry
Listen, this and the following are very basic. For more in-depth recipes, visit SheSimmers and search or browse for curries. 

2 cans full fat coconut milk, Aroy-D, Chao Koh, or another brand with no stabilizers (they make the curry slimy)
3+tbsp green curry paste (very spicy, let your heat tolerance be a guide, if you don't do spicy food, just...make something else. Not joking.)
1/3c sugar
Several dashes of fish sauce. If you don't have it, DO NOT use soy sauce, just put in some salt.
Veggies you like, chopped into bite-sized pieces, such as:
-Zucchini
-Summer squash
-Peas
-Cauliflower
-Leeks
Cooked jasmine rice


Dump it all in the crock pot or dutch oven with lid in a 300 oven and cook for 6ish hours. Near the end, add veggies and cook until soft. Stir to gently shred the pork, breaking up any big pieces. Serve over rice.

Panaeng Curry
Less spicy, rich, peanutty, delicious. 

2 cans full fat coconut milk
1 can red curry paste (less for less spicy - this one's not nearly so incendiary as the green)
1/3c natural peanut butter - the kind you have to stir. Jif-style will make the texture weird.
1c roasted peanuts
Fish sauce or salt, to season
Any of the veggies previously - sweet potatoes, squash, etc are also good here.
Cooked rice

See previous recipe.

Carnitas

Tacos! Burritos! Nachos! Salad! This is so delicious. When in doubt, Kenji Alt-Lopez's Food Lab recipes at Serious Eats is the way to go.



Cuban-Style Roast Pork
Okay full disclosure here: I don't remember where I got this recipe. I serve it with very basic black beans (saute up some minced garlic, onions, and cumin, toss in drained cans of black beans) and rice (after cooking, toss with lime, oil, salt, and chopped cilantro) and salad, and it seems to be a meal for a crowd that covers most dietary restrictions - people can usually eat at least two or three components, and it contains no gluten, eggs, dairy, or soy. I straight up stole the idea from one of my best friends' Cuban husband's family - they served a similar meal (it was in 2012 and I was very tired and a little hungover, don't ask) and it stuck in my mind. Here's a link to a quick write-up of the pork.



BBQ Sandwiches, Indoors
Yeah yeah, not real barbecue. Feel free to use any rub you want - I usually just throw stuff together on the basic formula of salt, sugar, mustard, spices. 

1/4c brown sugar
2 tsp salt
1 tbsp mustard powder or sharp mustard - dijon, grainy, whatever
1 tsp black pepper
2 tsp paprika (smoked if you've got it!)
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp cumin
Liquid smoke, if you want

Buns
Slaw 
Your favorite BBQ sauce

Mix rub ingredients together and pat on the meat. Roast, uncovered, in a 300 oven for, yes, around 6  hours. You know what to do next.



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