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Braised Pork with Cherry Gravy
© Con Poulos

Braised Pork with Cherry Gravy

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  • ACTIVE: 1 HR
  • TOTAL TIME: 5 HRS plus overnight chilling
  • SERVINGS: 6
  • •MAKE-AHEAD
  • •STAFF-FAVORITE

Michel Nischan’s braised sweet-and-savory pork melts in your mouth. It’s perfect with the creamy leeks and fennel.

Slideshow: More Pork Recipes to Try

  1. 4 pounds boneless pork shoulder, tied
  2. Salt and freshly ground pepper
  3. 7 tablespoons vegetable oil
  4. 6 celery ribs, coarsely chopped
  5. 2 carrots, coarsely chopped
  6. 3 large onions, coarsely chopped
  7. 1/4 cup tomato paste
  8. 1 cup dry red wine
  9. 6 cups chicken stock or broth
  10. 1 cup dried sour cherries
  11. 2 large fennel bulbs, thinly sliced
  12. 2 large leeks, white and pale green parts, sliced crosswise 1/2 inch thick
  13. 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  14. 1/4 cup grated young pecorino cheese
  15. 1/4 cup chives, cut in 1/2-inch lengths
  1. 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.
  2. 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. Untie the pork; slice into 6 medallions.
  3. 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.
  4. In nonstick skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the pork and brown well. Serve with the gravy and vegetables.

Suggested Pairing

Tart cherry–scented, medium-bodied Chianti.