Braised Pork Cheeks with Apple
A distinguished culinary classic crafted with authentic techniques and finest ingredients, offering rich depth of flavour and elegant presentation.
Ingredients
- • 12 pork cheeks
- • 1 onion (finely diced)
- • 6 shallots (peeled and cut in half)
- • 100 g green apple (peeled and diced )
- • 2 carrots (peeled and thinly sliced)
- • 1 red pepper (deseeded and finely chopped)
- • 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
- • 150 ml red wine vinegar
- • 4-5 potatoes (cut into bite size pieces)
- • 1 bay leaf
- • 1 tbsp Sweet Freedom Natural Dark Sweetener
- • 1 tsp fresh thyme
- • 1 tsp fresh parsley (chopped)
- • low calorie cooking spray
- • 1 tbsp plain flour
- • 600 ml beef stock (made up with 2 stock cubes)
- • salt
- • freshly ground black pepper
Preparation Steps
Put the crushed garlic in a small bowl and add in the thyme, Sweet Freedom Natural Dark Sweetener, parsley and a tablespoon of water. Continue to crush some more until you achieve a paste.
Pat the pork cheeks completely dry with kitchen roll and then cover the pork cheeks with the paste and season with salt and pepper. Let them marinate for at least an hour before cooking.
After allowing them to absorb the flavours for about an hour, quickly dredge the pork cheeks in the flour. They shouldn't be coated in flour, just a hint should remain.
Set the Instant Pot to sauté and spray in some low calorie cooking spray (or heat the olive oil in a heavy pan on a medium high heat).
Sear the pork cheeks (about 30 seconds per each of its 3-4 sides) until all sides are browned.
After each cheek is seared, remove from the pan and set to one side.
Add a little more Low calorie cooking spray and sauté the onions, peppers, shallots and carrots until they are golden.
Add the pork cheeks, red wine vinegar and bay leaf. Allow to reduce slightly over a medium heat (the Instant Pot should still be on sauté).
Add the beef stock, potatoes and apple.
Turn the Instant Pot to slow cook on medium setting for 3-4 hours (or turn down the heat under the pan and cook for 1.5-2 hours, or place in a covered casserole dish in medium oven for 1.5-2 hours).
When the pig cheeks are completely tender, remove from the heat and serve.