**Head cheese and brawn**, also known as souse or haslet, **are savory meat dishes made with the head and trotter portions of the pig**, sometimes other pork offcuts such as the heart, tongue, and liver, and occasionally additional meats such as beef or veal. Head cheese is typically made by cooking the meat until tender, then removing the bones and chopping the meat into small pieces. The chopped meat is then mixed with a gelling agent, such as gelatin or aspic, and seasoned with various herbs and spices. Brawn, on the other hand, is made by cooking the meat in a stock or broth, then pressing it into a mold and allowing it to cool and solidify. Both head cheese and brawn are typically served cold, often with a garnish of parsley or pickled vegetables. In this article, we will provide recipes for both head cheese and brawn, as well as a vegetarian version of head cheese made with tofu.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
HEAD CHEESE
this recipe was "published" 20 years ago in a small Mennonite community in Saskatchewan for a Church cookbook. Still, it makes up a great "crackers and meat" hors d'ourve and gives us some clue as to true "Heritage" cooking! In my DS's family, this was a staple at Christmas and New Years and so I have to share it!
Provided by John DOH
Categories Pork
Time P5DT1h15m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Clean pork head, removing bristles, ears and eyes, jaws and bones of nose.
- Cook with hocks, tongue, heart and beef.
- Cook rinds in a sepatate container.
- When well done, remove meat from bones and grind all through a fine plate.
- Mis very well and add some salt and pepper with meat juice to make a good mix.
- Place the ground results in a cheesecloth bag and top with a heavy weight to press out the "extra" fat.
- When cold, cut in large slices, and make a mix of 2 cups of water and one cup vinegar, bring to a boil, then cool and pour over meat, letting stand in a crock pot for 5 days or until fully soaked through.
- Serve with raw onion and vinegar for dinner, or herat and serve with fried potato -- .
HEAD CHEESE
This is a very old recipe handed down in my family through the years. It is almost always made around Christmas. As far as I know, I am the only one left in the family who knows how to make it. It is very time consuming, so be prepared to spend the better part of a day to make it.
Provided by Don
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Pork
Time 14h
Yield 50
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Place pork hocks, veal shank and salt in large kettle. Cover entirely with water. Bring to full boil then reduce heat to slow simmer. Cook until fork penetrates meat easily. Periodically rearrange meat so it doesn't stick to bottom of kettle. Skim off scum which forms on top of water. Keep adding boiling water to keep meat covered until done.
- When meat is done, place on large cookie sheet for cooling. Strain remaining water into another kettle to remove any small bones and other matter; set aside strained water. Place meat on tray and cool. Remove all fat and bones. Dice remaining meat, skin and soft gristle. Add diced meat to strained water. Bring to full boil and reduce to very slow simmer. Add salt to taste at this time. Periodically test mixture to see if it sets by pouring a small amount in a bowl and putting in freezer. Mixture is set when it is the consistency of jello. Add vinegar and nutmeg and remove from heat.
- Ladle into bread pans making sure to distribute meat evenly. Fill pans no more than 3/4 full. Leave at room temperature until cool then refrigerate overnight. Next day, unmold onto plastic wrap and double wrap in foil. refrigerate until ready to use. To serve, remove any fat from top of loaves and cut into chunks. Some prefer more vinegar and salt added at this time.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 301.8 calories, Cholesterol 83.9 mg, Fat 23.4 g, Protein 21.1 g, SaturatedFat 8.1 g, Sodium 67.3 mg
HEAD CHEESE/BRAWN
As a child in England, my Mum would make this with a pigs head, but later in life she used pigs "trotters" and pork hocks. I still have her recipe and one day had a craving for this. It wasn't easy finding the trotters, but one day my husband went to our local grocers and there they were! Serve on hot buttered rye toast. The contrast of heat and cold is fabulous!
Provided by Golden Wookie
Categories Spreads
Time 4h
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Put all the ingredients in a large pot and just cover with water.
- Bring to a boil, uncovered, then turn down, cover the pot and let simmer for hours, or until the meat falls of the bone. Skim any foam that appears.
- Strain liquid into a large bowl and remove the meat from the hocks. Shred or dice the beef and pork.
- Put the strained liquid and meat back on the stove and boil until the liquid shrinks 1 inch.
- Pour into moulds (I used a tray of 8 mini loaf pans and still had some left over, which I just poured into a dish).
- Put in the 'fridge until set. Any fat will rise and can be easily scraped off when set. There is so much gelatin in the feet that it sets up quite quickly.
Tips:
- When making head cheese or brawn, it's important to use fresh, high-quality ingredients. The better the quality of the meat and spices, the better the final product will be.
- Be sure to clean and trim the meat thoroughly before cooking. This will help to remove any unwanted fat or gristle.
- Cook the meat slowly and gently. This will help to tenderize the meat and prevent it from becoming tough.
- Season the meat generously with spices. This will help to give the head cheese or brawn a flavorful and savory taste.
- Let the head cheese or brawn cool completely before serving. This will help the meat to set and firm up.
Conclusion:
Head cheese and brawn are delicious and versatile dishes that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. They can be served as a main course, an appetizer, or a snack. They can also be used in sandwiches, salads, and other dishes. If you're looking for a new and exciting way to enjoy meat, give head cheese or brawn a try.
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