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Braised Pork with Cherry Gravy

Braised Pork with Cherry Gravy

Ingredients

  • Pork
  • 4 pounds boneless pork shoulder, tied

  • salt and pepper

  • 6 tablespoons olive 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

  • 1 cup dried sour cherries

  • Fennel/Leeks Mix
  • 2 large fennel bulbs, thinly sliced

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

  • 1.5 cups heavy cream

  • 1/4 cup grated pecorino cheese

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

Directions

  • Pork
  • 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.
  • Gray
  • Remove pork from refrigerator.
  • 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.
  • Fennel/Leeks Mix
  • 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.
  • To Serve Pork Medallions
  • Untie the pork; slice into 6 medallions.
  • In nonstick skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the pork and brown well. 
  • Serve with the gravy and vegetables.