JULES FOOD... Pig Cheeks wrapped with Bacon, Brown sugar and Onion from julesfood.blogspot.com
Introduction
Pigs cheeks might not be the most commonly used meat, but they are incredibly tender and flavorful. This recipe is a perfect choice for those who want to try something different that will impress their guests. Pigs cheeks can be cooked in various ways, but we will be using slow cooking to make them tender and juicy.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need:
4 pigs cheeks
2 onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cups beef broth
1 cup red wine
1 bay leaf
2 sprigs of thyme
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 325°F. 2. Season the pigs cheeks with salt and pepper. 3. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. 4. Add the pigs cheeks and cook until browned on all sides, about 4 minutes per side. Remove the cheeks from the pot and set aside. 5. Add the onions, garlic, carrots, and celery to the pot and sauté until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. 6. Add the tomato paste and stir well. 7. Pour in the beef broth and red wine, and bring to a boil. 8. Add the bay leaf and thyme, and return the pigs cheeks to the pot. 9. Cover the Dutch oven and transfer it to the preheated oven. 10. Cook for 2 to 3 hours, until the pigs cheeks are tender and falling apart. 11. Remove the Dutch oven from the oven and transfer the pigs cheeks to a serving platter. 12. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve and discard the solids. 13. Return the cooking liquid to the Dutch oven and cook over medium-high heat until reduced by half. 14. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. 15. Pour the sauce over the pigs cheeks and serve hot.
Nutrition
This recipe serves 4 people and each serving contains approximately:
Calories: 400
Protein: 35g
Fat: 20g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 6g
Tips and Variations
- If you don't have a Dutch oven, you can use a deep oven-safe pot with a lid. - Pigs cheeks can be hard to find, but you can ask your local butcher to order them for you. - You can serve the pigs cheeks with mashed potatoes or polenta. - This recipe can also be made in a slow cooker. Simply brown the pigs cheeks on the stove and transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or until the meat is tender. - If you want a richer flavor, you can add a tablespoon of butter to the sauce before serving. - You can also add mushrooms, bacon, or pearl onions to the pot with the vegetables.
Conclusion
Pigs cheeks might not be the most popular cut of meat, but they are definitely worth trying. This recipe is easy to make and results in tender and flavorful meat that will impress your guests. Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy!
