Ingredients:
3 pounds pork shoulder4 quarts pork stock2 onions, quartered4 cloves garlic1 teaspoon Szechuan peppercorns1 teaspoon whole cloves1 teaspoon whole star anise1 teaspoon whole fennel seed1 cinnamon stick¼ cup rice wine vinegarSalt and white pepper1 tablespoon of vegetable oil1×1 foot section Cheese clothButcher’s twine
Method:
Preheat oven to 350’F. Lightly season pork with salt and white pepper. Heat a large Dutch oven with vegetable oil. Sear pork on both sides and set aside. Place onions in pan and sear until caramelized, add garlic and cook for 2 more minutes. Add vinegar to deglaze, reduce slightly and then add pork stock. Place Szechuan peppercorns, cloves, star anise, fennel seed and cinnamon stick in the cheese cloth. Use butchers twine to tie off, securing the contents inside cheese cloth then add to Dutch oven. Place seared pork in liquid, slowly bring up to a simmer and then cover loosely with parchment or lid. Place in the oven and cook for 2 ½ hours. Once tender, remove pork from the oven and let cool in the Dutch oven to room temperature. Once cooled, remove the pork from the Dutch oven and strain the liquid into another sauce pan. Place the sauce pan over low to medium heat and reduce by ⅔.
Purple Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients:
4 purple sweet potatoes½ teaspoon star anise½ teaspoon whole cloves2 tablespoons butter6×6 inch Cheese cloth
Method:
Peel and chop potatoes into 2 inch pieces then place in a pot and cover with water. Place cloves and star anise in cheese cloth. Tie with butcher’s twine and place in water with the potatoes. Cook until potatoes are done and pierce easily with a knife. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid and strain remainder in pot. Place potatoes in a mixer along with butter and a half cup of cooking of cooking liquid to start. Add liquid if necessary. Season with salt and white pepper to taste.
Armagnac Prunes
½ cup pitted prunes¼ cup water¼ cup sugar3 tablespoons Armagnac
Method:
Place prunes, water and sugar in a medium saucepan, place over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cover and let cook for 20 minutes. Remove from heat, add Armagnac and stir until combined.
// St. Francis Winery, 100 N Pythian Rd, North Bay, stfranciswinery.com. Photography courtesy of St. Francis Winery.
