Best 2 Pork Confit Recipes
Pork confit is an incredibly rich and flavorful French dish made with succulent pork belly or pork shoulder, slowly cooked in its own fat until meltingly tender. The result is a dish with a crispy, golden-brown exterior and an incredibly tender and juicy interior that falls apart at the touch of a fork. This classic French dish can be prepared using various cooking methods, from traditional slow-cooking in a pot to modern sous vide techniques. Some recipes incorporate aromatic herbs and spices for added flavor, while others rely on the natural flavors of the pork to shine through. Pork confit can be served as a main course accompanied by various sides, such as roasted vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad. It can also be used as a filling for sandwiches, tacos, or empanadas. No matter how it's prepared or served, pork confit is sure to delight your taste buds and leave you craving more.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
PORK CHOPS WITH RED ONION CONFIT
Steps:
- Slice the onion very thinly. Melt the butter in a frying pan, add the onions, season with salt and pepper and cook gently, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 15 minutes. Add the vinegar and reduce until the liquid evaporates, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
- Sprinkle the pork chops with salt, pepper and sugar. Fry until golden and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. (If they are lacking in fat, you may need to add a little oil or butter, or both, to the pan to fry them.) Serve with a spoonful of red onion confit on top.
PORK CONFIT
Steps:
- Combine first 8 ingredients in large bowl. Add pork; turn and rub to coat well. Cover and chill overnight.
- Preheat oven to 275°F. Place onions, garlic, thyme sprigs, and rosemary sprig in large ovenproof pot. Pat pork dry with paper towels and place atop vegetables in pot. Pour enough melted lard over pork to cover by 1 inch. Cover and place pork in oven. Roast until pork is tender, turning occasionally (keep pork covered with lard at all times), about 4 hours.
- Using slotted spoon, transfer pork to another large bowl, packing tightly. Strain liquid in pot into 4-cup measuring cup; discard solids in strainer. Allow juices to settle at bottom of cup, about 15 minutes. Carefully pour enough fat from cup over pork in bowl to cover by 1 inch. Pour juices from bottom of cup into resealable plastic freezer bag; seal and freeze to use for making thePork Cassoulet (it's also great as a sauce). Cover and refrigerate pork at least 2 weeks and up to 2 months (keep pork covered with fat).
- Rewarm pork confit to melt lard. Drain pork before using.
- *A dried herb mixture available in the spice section of many supermarkets and at specialty foods stores. A combination of dried thyme, basil, savory, and fennel seeds can be substituted.
Tips:
- Choosing the Right Pork: Opt for a pork shoulder or pork belly with a good amount of fat, as this will contribute to the richness and flavor of the confit.
- Marinating the Pork: To enhance the flavors, marinate the pork in a mixture of herbs, spices, and aromatics for at least 24 hours. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat and results in a more flavorful confit.
- Slow and Gentle Cooking: Confit is all about slow and gentle cooking. Cook the pork submerged in fat at a low temperature for an extended period, typically several hours. This tenderizes the meat and allows the fat to render out, creating a fall-off-the-bone texture.
- Choosing the Right Fat: Traditionally, pork confit is made with duck fat. However, you can also use other fats like chicken fat, goose fat, or even olive oil. Each fat imparts a slightly different flavor to the confit.
- Storing and Reheating: Properly store the confit in its cooking fat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply warm the confit gently in its fat until heated through.
Conclusion:
Pork confit is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in various ways. Whether you serve it as a main course with roasted vegetables or incorporate it into other dishes like salads, sandwiches, or stews, the tender, flavorful meat and rich, flavorful fat will elevate your culinary creations. So, if you're looking for a classic French dish that is both delicious and easy to make, give pork confit a try. With careful preparation and attention to detail, you'll be rewarded with a dish that is sure to impress your family and friends.
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