Slow Cooked Pork Ala Michael Chiarello Food

FOREVER ROASTED PORK

Steps:

• Bring pork to room temperature by removing it from refrigerator 1 to 2 hours before cooking.
• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the onions, cover pan, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until light brown, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the sage and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the onions cease throwing off water, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat, allow to cool on plate.
• Peel back the pork skin, and spread a good amount of the fennel spice and add the onions directly on the fat layer. Fold the skin back over the onions and tie closed with kitchen string. Season well all over with the remaining fennel spice.
• Arrange the meat on a rack in a casserole pan lined with foil, drizzle with more olive oil and cook until the meat is very tender, about 8 hours. It is ready when it pulls away easily if picked at with a pair of tongs. It is often easiest to cook the meat overnight, or put it in the oven in the morning and let it cook all day. It does not need to be attended.
• Put the fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and peppercorns in a heavy pan over medium heat. Watch carefully, tossing frequently so the seeds toast evenly. When light brown and fragrant, pour the seeds onto a plate to cool. They must be cool before grinding, or they will gum up the blades.
• Pour the seeds into a blender and add the salt. Blend to a fine powder, shaking the blender occasionally to redistribute the seeds. Store in a tightly sealed glass jar in a cool, dry place, or freeze.

SLOW COOKED PORK ALA MICHAEL CHIARELLO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.
• Combine first 9 ingredients in a food processor.
• Can also be mixed by hand in a bowl, but make sure to combine well.
• If necessary, trim fat from top of pork, leaving a 1/8-inch thick layer of fat.
• Spread Roasted Garlic Rub all over pork and inside any cavities, concentrating on boned side.
• Put pork, fat side up, in a roasting pan and roast in middle of oven 6 to 8 hours.
• Transfer roast to cutting board and let stand 15 minutes. Pull shreds apart with tongs into chunks.
• Serve.

PORK CHOPS WITH TOASTED SPICE RUB AND APPLE DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Season both sides of the pork chops with salt and toasted spice rub.
• Heat the oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium heat and sear the pork chops until golden brown, about 4 minutes on 1side and 1 minute on the other side. Place pork chops on baking sheet. Remove excess oil from skillet.
• Bake the chops until just cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove to a serving platter.
• Over medium heat, add the wine to the skillet, stir, and reduce to 1 to 2 tablespoons; add the apple sauce and bring to a simmer. Spoon over each chop.
• Toasted Spice Rub
• 1/4 cup fennel seeds
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 1 tablespoon peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup pure California chili powder
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• Toast the fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and peppercorns in a small, heavy pan over medium heat. When the fennel begins to turn light brown, add the red pepper flakes, and toss several times. Immediately turn the spice mixture out onto a plate to cool.
• Put in a blender with the chili powder, salt, and cinnamon and blend until the spices are evenly ground. If you have a small spice mill or a coffee grinder dedicated to grinding spices, grind only the fennel, coriander, pepper, and chili flakes. Pour into a bowl and toss with the remaining ingredients.
• Keep the spice mix in a glass jar in a cool, dry place, or freeze.
• Note: If you have an exhaust fan over your stove, turn it on before you start toasting the spices. Be careful not to inhale the fumes once you add the red pepper flakes.
• Yield: 1 cup
• 12 apples, Gravenstein or McIntosh
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon finely ground sea salt, preferably gray salt
• 1/3 cup honey
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Peel the apples with a vegetable peeler, remove the core and cut into 1-inch chunks, place in a large bowl. Heat a large skillet or roasting pan over medium-high heat. Add the butter. When the butter begins to brown, add lemon juice, then add the apples and salt. Cook until the apples just begin to color, about 4 minutes. Stir in the honey. Roast the apples in the oven until soft and lightly caramelized, about 12 minutes. Fork mash for a chunky version or puree in food processor for a smoother sauce.
• Serve warm, room temperature or cold.

PORK CHOPS FOR THE SLOW COOKER

Steps:

• Place pork chops in slow cooker. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over pork chops.
• Cook on Low setting for 6 hours, until internal temperature of pork has reached 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).

BALSAMIC GLAZED FRUIT (MICHAEL CHIARELLO)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
• Peel and core apples and pears, cut each into 8 wedges. Place in large bowl and toss with 2 T. lemon juice.
• Melt butter over medium heat in skillet until it stops foaming and is slightly brown.
• Add rosemary, bay leaves, remaining 3 T. lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and brown sugar.
• Heat to boiling and reduce slightly.
• Pour over fruit and toss to coat.
• Pour into roasting pan or onto a cookie sheet WITH SIDES.
• Bake for 3-8 hours, turning each hour.
• Fruit should be slightly dried, but not dried to the extent of fruit leather.
• Store tightly covered in refrigerator for up to one week.

SNAKE BITE

Steps:

• In 2 chilled pint glasses equally divide the hard cider. Add the beer and serve immediately.