PORK STEW WITH PEARS AND THYME

Steps:

• 1. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper on all sides.Heat large heavy pot (8qt) over medium high heat x a few minutes, then add olive oil
• 2. Lower in pork pieces and cook 3 minutes on a side (till deep caramel in color). Do not try to cram more than one layer, will likely need to do a few batches.Turn heat to medium-low and pour off most of fat (leave thin layer).
• 3. Add in onions and garlic. Cook till softened. Add in broth and wine and scrape bottom of pan with wooden spoon to get up all the caramelized bits
• 4. Add pears, then add back in pork. Tie thyme together with bay leaves and vanilla bean using kitchen twine and nestle between pieces of pork. Cover and cook at a gentle simmer over very low heat until meat is tender, about 2 hours.
• 5. Take out pork and cover loosely. Discard herbs. Add chopped thyme to pot, increase the heat, and boil off liquid until thick enough to coat a spoon (5-10 minutes). Add in parsley and lemon and adjust to taste. Return pork to pan and serve.