Best 4 Chef Johns Pumpkin Braised Pork Recipes

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Tantalize your taste buds with Chef John's Pumpkin Braised Pork, a symphony of flavors that will transport you to a culinary paradise. This delectable dish features tender pork shoulder braised in a luscious blend of pumpkin puree, aromatic spices, and tangy vinegar, resulting in a fall-apart-tender masterpiece. Served over a bed of creamy polenta or mashed potatoes, this dish promises a comforting and satisfying meal.

But that's not all! This article also offers a treasure trove of additional pumpkin-inspired recipes to delight your palate. From Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars that burst with autumnal flavors to Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies that offer a sweet and chewy treat, there's something for every pumpkin enthusiast. And for those seeking a savory twist, the Pumpkin Risotto and Pumpkin Soup recipes provide hearty and flavorful options.

Indulge in the culinary artistry of Chef John's Pumpkin Braised Pork and embark on a journey of taste and texture that will leave you craving more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CHEF JOHN'S BOSTON CREAM PIE



Chef John's Boston Cream Pie image

This is my quick and easy version of Boston's Parker House Hotel's famous cake.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Desserts     Chocolate Dessert Recipes     Dark Chocolate

Time 5h10m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 16

cooking spray
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1 ¼ cups water
⅓ cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 tablespoons cornstarch
6 tablespoons white sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup whole milk
½ tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, or to taste
1 pinch salt
4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon butter
½ cup heavy whipping cream

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Spray 2 (8-inch) cake pans with cooking spray.
  • Stir yellow cake mix, 3 eggs, water, and vegetable oil in a bowl until moistened. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
  • Divide cake batter between the two prepared cake pans.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until cakes have risen and are lightly golden brown, 33 to 38 minutes. Check for doneness after 25 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes should come out clean. Allow cakes to cool for about 10 minutes before removing from the pans. Cool cakes completely, about 40 minutes.
  • Whisk 3 eggs, cornstarch, and sugar in a large bowl until well mixed and lemon colored, 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside.
  • Heat 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whole milk, and 1/2 tablespoon butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to boil.
  • Reduce heat to low; pour egg mixture into cream mixture and whisk until thick, about 1 minute.
  • Pour egg and cream mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl; discard any chunks.
  • Whisk vanilla and salt into the egg and cream mixture until combined. Cover with a layer of plastic wrap pressed against the surface. Chill in refrigerator to form a pastry cream texture, 3 to 4 hours.
  • Place chocolate in a large bowl. Heat 1 teaspoon butter and 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream in a saucepan over medium heat until butter is melted. Pour cream mixture over chocolate and whisk until smooth. Set aside until cooled, but still pourable, about 20 minutes.
  • Place one cake layer on a plate, flat side up. Spread pastry cream to within 1-inch of the edge of cake. Place second cake layer on top, rounded side up. Press gently to push pastry cream to the edge. Pour chocolate mixture over top of the cake and spread so it drips over the edge.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 694.7 calories, Carbohydrate 72.4 g, Cholesterol 198.7 mg, Fat 41 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 10.3 g, SaturatedFat 16.5 g, Sodium 514.2 mg, Sugar 45.5 g

CHEF JOHN'S PUMPKIN-BRAISED PORK



Chef John's Pumpkin-Braised Pork image

You'll see this titled 'Pig in a Pumpkin' on the blog even though we're not using a whole pig, we're using a whole pumpkin! If you're looking for a fun, and very seasonably appropriate way to cook some pork shoulder, I can't think of a better, or more beautiful one, which is why I really hope you give this a try soon. Season the pork any way you want. I plated mine up with buttery mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Pork Shoulder

Time 12h45m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 ½ pounds boneless pork shoulder
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon crushed fennel seeds
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
⅓ cup thinly sliced shallots
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 volleyball-sized sugar pumpkin
2 cups hard apple cider, or more as needed

Steps:

  • Cut pork into large chunks. Place in a bowl. Add salt, pepper, cayenne, thyme, fennel seeds, rosemary, and shallots. Mix thoroughly and cover pork with parchment paper. Refrigerate to let flavors develop, 8 hours to overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Add flour to pork and mix to coat. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook pork in 2 batches until browned, about 3 minutes per side.
  • Insert the tip of a knife at a 45-degree angle into the top half of the pumpkin. Slowly cut all the way around to remove the 'lid'. Scrape seeds and fibers off the bottom of the lid and inside of the pumpkin using a large spoon or ice cream scoop.
  • Line the bottom of a baking pan with parchment paper and place pumpkin on top. Stuff the pumpkin with the browned pork; pour in cider. Cover with the top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until pork is very tender, about 4 hours. Pour in a little more cider after a few hours in the oven, since a lot of it evaporates. Remove from the oven and let rest; brush pumpkin with some of the rendered fat from the bottom of the pan.
  • Scoop pork onto serving plates and cut out pieces of pumpkin to serve alongside. Combine remaining rendered fat with cooking liquid from inside the pumpkin. Let sauce rest for a few minutes so you can skim off most of the fat. Spoon sauce over the pork.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 348.2 calories, Carbohydrate 29.3 g, Cholesterol 62.5 mg, Fat 16.6 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 20.2 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 631.9 mg, Sugar 8.2 g

CHEF JOHN'S PUMPKIN-BRAISED PORK



Chef John's Pumpkin-Braised Pork image

You'll see this titled 'Pig in a Pumpkin' on the blog even though we're not using a whole pig, we're using a whole pumpkin! If you're looking for a fun, and very seasonably appropriate way to cook some pork shoulder, I can't think of a better, or more beautiful one, which is why I really hope you give this a try soon. Season the pork any way you want. I plated mine up with buttery mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Pork Shoulder

Time 12h45m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 ½ pounds boneless pork shoulder
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon crushed fennel seeds
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
⅓ cup thinly sliced shallots
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 volleyball-sized sugar pumpkin
2 cups hard apple cider, or more as needed

Steps:

  • Cut pork into large chunks. Place in a bowl. Add salt, pepper, cayenne, thyme, fennel seeds, rosemary, and shallots. Mix thoroughly and cover pork with parchment paper. Refrigerate to let flavors develop, 8 hours to overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Add flour to pork and mix to coat. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook pork in 2 batches until browned, about 3 minutes per side.
  • Insert the tip of a knife at a 45-degree angle into the top half of the pumpkin. Slowly cut all the way around to remove the 'lid'. Scrape seeds and fibers off the bottom of the lid and inside of the pumpkin using a large spoon or ice cream scoop.
  • Line the bottom of a baking pan with parchment paper and place pumpkin on top. Stuff the pumpkin with the browned pork; pour in cider. Cover with the top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until pork is very tender, about 4 hours. Pour in a little more cider after a few hours in the oven, since a lot of it evaporates. Remove from the oven and let rest; brush pumpkin with some of the rendered fat from the bottom of the pan.
  • Scoop pork onto serving plates and cut out pieces of pumpkin to serve alongside. Combine remaining rendered fat with cooking liquid from inside the pumpkin. Let sauce rest for a few minutes so you can skim off most of the fat. Spoon sauce over the pork.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 348.2 calories, Carbohydrate 29.3 g, Cholesterol 62.5 mg, Fat 16.6 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 20.2 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 631.9 mg, Sugar 8.2 g

MEDITERRANEAN PORK AND ORZO



Mediterranean Pork and Orzo image

On a really busy day, this meal in a bowl is one of my top picks. It's quick to put together, leaving a lot more time to relax at the table. -Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1-1/2 pounds pork tenderloin
1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 quarts water
1-1/4 cups uncooked orzo pasta
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 package (6 ounces) fresh baby spinach
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Steps:

  • Rub pork with pepper; cut into 1-in. cubes. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add pork; cook and stir until no longer pink, 8-10 minutes., Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, bring water to a boil. Stir in orzo and salt; cook, uncovered, 8 minutes. Stir in spinach; cook until orzo is tender and spinach is wilted, 45-60 seconds longer. Drain., Add tomatoes to pork; heat through. Stir in orzo mixture and cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 372 calories, Fat 11g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 71mg cholesterol, Sodium 306mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

Tips:

  • Sear the pork shoulder in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until browned on all sides. This will help to develop flavor and color.
  • Use a variety of spices to flavor the braising liquid, such as garlic, onion, celery, carrots, and thyme. You can also add a bay leaf or two for extra flavor.
  • Braising the pork shoulder in pumpkin puree will help to keep it moist and tender. The pumpkin will also add a subtle sweetness and flavor to the dish.
  • Cook the pork shoulder on low heat for at least 2 hours, or until it is fall-apart tender. The longer you cook it, the more flavorful it will be.
  • Serve the pork shoulder with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or your favorite side dishes. You can also use the braising liquid to make a delicious gravy.

Conclusion:

Chef John's pumpkin-braised pork is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a fall dinner. The pork shoulder is cooked in a flavorful braising liquid made with pumpkin puree, spices, and vegetables. The result is a tender and juicy pork shoulder that is bursting with flavor. This dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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