Braised Pork with Tomatillos

Total Time Prep: 25 min. Bake: 3 hours
Yield 6 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
A pork braise is a sure way to make people’s mouths water. The tomatillos in this dish offer a subtle hint of lightness to the meat. For ultimate flavor, make the dish one day ahead and reheat. —La Boucherie, Matthew Lawrence, Vashon, Washington

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
  • 1 bone-in pork shoulder roast (3 to 4 pounds)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 15 tomatillos, husked, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • POLENTA:
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal

Directions

  1. In a small dry skillet over medium heat, toast coriander and cumin seeds until aromatic, 1-2 minutes. Remove from skillet. Crush seeds using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle; set aside.
  2. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper. In an ovenproof Dutch oven, brown roast in oil on all sides. Remove and set aside. Add tomatillos and onion to the pan; saute until tomatillos are tender and lightly charred. Add the garlic and crushed spices; cook 1 minute longer.
  3. Add wine, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Stir in 8 cups broth and return roast to pan. Bring to a boil. Cover and bake at 350° until pork is tender, 3 to 3-1/2 hours.
  4. Meanwhile, in a large heavy saucepan, bring 4 cups broth to a boil. Reduce heat to a gentle boil; slowly whisk in cornmeal. Cook and stir with a wooden spoon until polenta is thickened and pulls away cleanly from the side of the pan, 15-20 minutes. Serve with pork.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 514 calories, 24g fat (7g saturated fat), 120mg cholesterol, 1160mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 41g protein.

A pork braise is a sure way to make people’s mouths water. The tomatillos in this dish offer a subtle hint of lightness to the meat. For ultimate flavor, make the dish one day ahead and reheat. —La Boucherie, Matthew Lawrence, Vashon, Washington
Recipe Creator

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