Braised Pork with Cherry Gravy

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Michel Nischan’s braised sweet-and-savory pork melts in your mouth. It’s perfect with the creamy leeks and fennel. Slideshow:  More Pork Recipes to Try 

By
Michel Nischan
michel nischan
Michel Nischan

A leader in the local, organic, and sustainable food movement, Michel Nischan is a four-time James Beard Award-winning chef, author, and humanitarian. He co-founded the non-profit food equity organization Wholesome Wave which advocates for access to affordable healthy foods for underserved urban and rural communities.

Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on May 24, 2017
Braised Pork with Cherry Gravy
Photo: © Con Poulos
Active Time:
1 hr
Total Time:
5 hrs
Yield:
6
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds boneless pork shoulder, tied

  • Salt and freshly ground pepper

  • 7 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 6 celery ribs, coarsely chopped

  • 2 carrots, coarsely chopped

  • 3 large onions, coarsely chopped

  • 1/4 cup tomato paste

  • 1 cup dry red wine

  • 6 cups chicken stock or broth

  • 1 cup dried sour cherries

  • 2 large fennel bulbs, thinly sliced

  • 2 large leeks, white and pale green parts, sliced crosswise 1/2 inch thick

  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

  • 1/4 cup grated young pecorino cheese

  • 1/4 cup chives, cut in 1/2-inch lengths

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Season the pork with salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven, brown the pork in 2 tablespoons of the oil. Remove the pork; pour off the fat. Add 2 tablespoons of the oil to the pot. Add the celery, carrots and 2 onions and cook over moderate heat until golden, 15 minutes. Add the tomato paste, wine and stock; bring to a boil. Add the pork and cherries, cover and braise in the oven for 4 hours. Cool. Refrigerate overnight.

  2. Skim the fat from the liquid and remove the pork. Boil the gravy until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, 25 minutes. Strain the gravy into a saucepan and season with salt and pepper. Untie the pork; slice into 6 medallions.

  3. In a skillet, mix 2 tablespoons of the oil with the fennel, leeks and remaining onion. Cover and cook over moderate heat until softened, 7 minutes. Add the cream and simmer until thickened, 10 minutes. Add the cheese and chives, and season with salt and pepper.

  4. In nonstick skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the pork and brown well. Serve with the gravy and vegetables.

Suggested Pairing

Tart cherry–scented, medium-bodied Chianti.

Originally appeared: February 2012

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