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Smoky Pork Pappardelle

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 From 4 ratings.

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rating rrouch
This dish was the most savory, decadent, and delicious pasta recipe I have ever eaten! The pork melts! Get fresh papparedelle if you can and a very good Champagne vinegar! This is not a recipe to scrimp on ingredients. Pair it with a robust and fruity red and indulge!
rating DEMTWO
rating mthammer

I usually do not eat pork, but I made this recipe and it is my all time favorite dish. Although the cooking time is long, it is worth the wait. The leftovers the next day is even better.


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Smoky Pork Pappardelle

  • make ahead MAKE-AHEAD
ACTIVE TIME: 45 MIN
TOTAL TIME: 3 HRS 45 MIN
SERVES: 6
For the luscious meat sauce here, Gerard Craft braises pork with apples and honey, which adds some unexpected sweetness. Another surprise: He finishes the pasta with a sprinkling of smoked salt.
ingredients
  • One 2-pound piece of boneless pork shoulder
  • Smoked sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 Granny Smith apple, cut into 1-inch dice
  • 1 medium onion, cut into 1-inch dice
  • 1 carrot, cut into 1-inch dice
  • 1 celery rib, cut into 1-inch dice
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 3 thyme sprigs
  • 1/2 cup tomato paste
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 2 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
  • 1/3 cup Champagne vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 3 tablespoons mascarpone cheese
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1 pound pappardelle
  • 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 300°. Season the pork with 1 1/2 tablespoons of smoked salt. In a medium, enameled cast-iron casserole, heat the canola oil until shimmering. Add the pork and cook over moderately high heat, turning, until browned on all sides, 15 minutes. Transfer the pork to a plate.
  2. Add the apple, onion, carrot, celery, garlic and thyme to the casserole and cook over moderate heat until beginning to brown, about 6 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until it deepens in color, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and bring to a boil. Add the chicken stock, vinegar and honey and bring to a simmer. Add the pork, cover and transfer the casserole to the oven. Braise the pork for about 3 hours, turning once halfway through, until very tender.
  3. Transfer the pork to a plate. Strain the sauce into a large bowl, gently pressing on the solids. Pour the sauce back into the pot. Using 2 forks, shred the pork; discard any large pieces of fat. Transfer the shredded pork to the sauce and stir in the mascarpone. Season the sauce with smoked salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm.
  4. Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pappardelle until al dente. Drain the pasta and transfer to the casserole with the sauce. Toss the pasta with the sauce and the parsley over moderate heat until well coated, about 1 minute. Transfer the pasta to warm bowls. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with smoked salt and serve.

MAKE AHEAD The sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

WINE Craft’s smoky-sweet pappardelle will pair well with a red that has enough rich fruit not to be overwhelmed by the dish’s luxurious flavors. Southern Italy seems to specialize in reds of that nature, especially the flat, warm vineyards of Puglia and its primary grape variety, Negroamaro. Try the peppery 2005 Li Veli Pezzo Morgana Salice Salentino or the figgy 2006 La Corte Salice Salentino.

Recipe by Gerard Craft
From Best New Chefs & Their Easiest Recipes
This recipe originally appeared in July, 2008.