Pork Braised With Turnips And Marjoram Food

PORK BRAISED WITH TURNIPS AND MARJORAM

Steps:

• Trim off excess fat from the pork; dice and reserve it. Cut the rest of the meat in 1 1/2-inch chunks. Mix coriander, five-spice, paprika and 1/2 teaspoon pepper together in a large bowl. Add the pork and, using your hands, coat the meat with the spices.
• Heat a large sauté pan on medium, add the reserved pork fat and cook until it renders, 5 minutes or so. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the pork, toss in some salt, and sear until browned. Remove to a platter. Reduce heat to low. Add the shallots, sauté until soft, then add the apple and garlic, sauté briefly and add sherry. Cook a few minutes until reduced, add 3/4 cup of the stock, stir, return the meat to the pan, season with salt, baste it, cover and cook on low 30 minutes.
• Add another 3/4 cup of the stock and tuck in the turnips. Scatter 1 tablespoon of the marjoram and the thyme on top. Cover and simmer 45 minutes, adding a little more stock if needed; there should be sauce, but the meat should not swim. Check salt and pepper and serve, with the remaining marjoram strewn on top, or set aside and reheat, then serve.

BRAISED PORK WITH TURNIPS

Steps:

• Place a 12-inch skillet, preferably nonstick, over medium-high heat, and heat at least a minute. Add the oil and butter. When the butter foam subsides or the oil is hot, add the pork a few chunks at a time. When it is all in the skillet, turn the heat to high. Cook about 5 minutes, undisturbed, until the pork is nicely browned on one side. Turn each piece, return the heat to medium-high and cook about 3 minutes more.
• Add the turnip chunks, and shake the skillet so that the pork and turnips are all sitting in one layer, or nearly so. Cook another 3 or 4 minutes, or until turnips begin to brown. Add the liquid, and stir once or twice. Add salt, pepper and half the herb, turn heat to medium-low and cover skillet.
• Cook, stirring every 10 minutes, until both pork and turnips are quite tender, about 30 minutes. Remove the cover, and raise the heat to medium-high; boil the liquid until it is reduced to a syrupy glaze. Taste and add more salt and pepper if necessary; then, garnish with the remaining herb and serve.