Winter Pot Roast Food

PORK SHOULDER POT ROAST WITH WINTER VEGETABLES

Steps:

• For the pork shoulder: One day before cooking, liberally salt the pork shoulder and refrigerate uncovered.
• When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the pancetta and 6 sage leaves over medium heat until the pancetta renders its fat and gets crispy, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the sage and pancetta to a plate lined with paper towels and set aside. Add the pork shoulder to the pancetta fat and brown the pork on all sides, about 5 minutes per side. Set aside.
• Add the garlic, carrots, rutabaga, turnips and onion and cook until browned, about 4 minutes. Add the tomato paste, miso paste, rosemary sprigs and sage sprigs and cook for 1 minute more. Add the beer and chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Return the pork to the pan and add the reserved pancetta and sage. Cover and braise in the oven until fork-tender, about 3 1/2 hours. Allow the pork to rest for 30 minutes in the liquid.
• For the fried parsley: Put 1/2 inch of oil in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until 350 degrees F. Add the parsley leaves and fry until crispy, about 1 minute. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate.
• For the fried onions: Put 1/2 inch of oil in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until 350 degrees F.
• Mix together the flour and cayenne in a shallow bowl. Dredge the onions in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Fry in batches until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate.
• For the fried capers: Pat the capers dry with a paper towel. Fill a small saucepan with 1/2 inch of oil. Add the capers to the cold oil and turn the heat to medium. Cook until the capers are fried and crispy, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Remove the pork from the liquid and transfer to a cutting board. Slice the pork into 1-inch-thick pieces and transfer to a serving platter.
• Stir the vinegar into the braising liquid. Pour the sauce over the pork and top with the fried capers, fried onions, fried parsley, mint and cilantro.

PERFECT POT ROAST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
• Generously salt and pepper the chuck roast.
• Heat the olive oil in large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the halved onions to the pot, browning them on both sides. Remove the onions to a plate.
• Throw the carrots into the same very hot pot and toss them around a bit until slightly browned, about a minute or so. Reserve the carrots with the onions.
• If needed, add a bit more olive oil to the very hot pot. Place the meat in the pot and sear it for about a minute on all sides until it is nice and brown all over. Remove the roast to a plate.
• With the burner still on high, use either red wine or beef broth (about 1 cup) to deglaze the pot, scraping the bottom with a whisk. Place the roast back into the pot and add enough beef stock to cover the meat halfway.
• Add in the onions and the carrots, along with the fresh herbs.
• Put the lid on, then roast for 3 hours for a 3-pound roast. For a 4 to 5-pound roast, plan on 4 hours. The roast is ready when it's fall-apart tender.

PERFECT POT ROAST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325ºF.
• Combine the salt, pepper, and ground fennel in a small bowl. Generously season the roast with the spice mixture.
• Add enough oil to a large Dutch oven to coat the bottom. Heat it over medium-high heat, add the roast, and sear 8 to 10 minutes total, turning to brown all sides. Transfer the roast to a bowl.
• Add the carrots, onions, and garlic and season lightly with salt and pepper. Sauté the vegetables until browned, 5 to 8 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic. Remove the vegetables and place in a clean bowl.
• Deglaze the pot with 1 cup of the cider. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up any brown bits that have stuck to the bottom of the pot. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat. Add 2 cups of the broth and bring it to a boil again.
• Add 4 sprigs of the thyme, the rosemary, bay leaf, and roast to the pot (reserving the vegetables in the bowl). Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
• Cover the pot, place it in the oven, and roast for 2 hours. Add the reserved vegetables and roast for 1 more hour, until the roast is fork-tender but not mushy.
• Remove the roast and vegetables to a large bowl or platter and cover to keep warm. Let the braising liquid cool slightly, then strain the liquid into a bowl (discard the solids).
• Skim off any fat that has risen to the top.
• Purée the braising liquid in a blender.
• To make the sauce, heat 2 tablespoons oil in the Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the flour and stir to combine with the oil. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup cider and the tomato paste and mix well.
• Return the braising liquid to the pot along with the remaining 1 1/2 cups beef broth and the remaining 2 thyme sprigs. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the sauce is thickened.
• Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the thyme sprigs.
• To serve, slice the pot roast, arrange the vegetables around it, and pour the sauce over the top.
• Variations: Tipsy Pot Roast
• In many pot roast recipes, there is an element of alcohol. In mine, I use hard cider, but you can also try red wine, a heavy beer, or-for your Irish friends-Guinness. The booze gives the meat an extra dimension but won't get the family hammered.

WINTER POT ROAST

Steps:

• Trim fat from meat. Pour oil into hot Dutch oven or large pot. Brown meat.
• Combine broth and seasonings; pour over meat. Bring to boil, then simmer covered for 1 1/2 hours.
• Add vegetables and fruits; return to boiling, then reduce heat and simmer (covered) for 30-40 minutes.
• Transfer meat, vegs and fruits to a deep platter; keep warm. Reserve the juices.
• To make the gravy, measure reserved juices and add enough water to make 2 1/2 cups. Pour back into pot, and reheat to boiling.
• Mix cold water and flour, then stir into juices; cook and stir until thickened; cook for 2 more minutes; season to taste.
• Serve with buttered egg noodles. Mmm!