Just like Nevada polling, this post has come a wee bit delayed. But also just like this process, slow and steady wins the race…. 😉
So with 2020 being a legit dumpster fire that has yet to be extinguished we decided to change up the usual holiday Turkey with this Asian inspired braised pork shoulder. And let me tell ya something. I am pretty positive we will continue this tradition for years to come. Or at least I am praying we do. However though, I am being overly cautious as the likelihood of my oven catching on fire would really be on trend for this years festivities.
Crossing both fingers and toes here. The quadruple threat.
Anyways this baby does take a little bit of time, but let me tell ya something. She’s worth all the love and the patience one can give. All of the hard work will pay off and you’ll be sittin’ full and pretty with not a gosh darn care in the world (minus global pandemic, killer wasps, flu season, politics, etc etc). So stop being so stubborn and just give her a dang try.
Please don’t skip the dry brine or refrigeration time. At the low end make it 4 hours. At the high end make it last all night.
Ahem.
And yes, 6 hours in the oven (3 covered/3 uncovered). Though tbh sometimes by hour 4 you’ll be like WOW this texture is gr8 gonna stop, but don’t do that. Keep it going. Give her a nice lil crusty crust on top.
Slow braised pork shoulder in a miso asian broth, pulled and delicious for a perfect meal satisfying the entire family.
Ingredients
4 lb boneless pork shoulder (or may do 5lb bone in)
Dry Brine:
½ cup kosher salt
1 cup granulated sugar
Braise:
3 tbsp of fat (can really be whatever you have, animal fat, butter, oil)
32 oz stock (chicken or beef, lower sodium preferred)
¼ cup miso
2 tbsp soy sauce,
3 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp ground ginger
Instructions
For the dry brine, mix sugar and salt together in a bowl.
Next pat dry the pork shoulder and cover with the sugar/salt mixture patting it in and then tightly wrapping it in plastic wrap.
Refrigerate up for 4 hours or overnight (the best way)
Next remove pork from fridge and let sit for 30 minutes at room temperature
Set oven to 300 F.
In a large skillet with a lid (if not you may use foil here) heat up over medium high heat and add your fat.
Next take your shoulder, unwrap, pat it dry with paper towels and brown it on all four sides in the skillet, about 30-45 seconds per side.
Remove pork and set on the side until ready to use.
With skillet still on medium-high heat add your stock, miso, soy, garlic and ground ginger. Bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer.
Add your pork shoulder back in.
Turn off heat and cover shoulder w lid and place into the oven (may use foil here if need be).
Place in oven for 3 hours covered.
Once 3 hours pass, uncover your pork and remove from oven. Ladle over some of the stock and place back in oven for another 3 hours, ladling over more stock every 45 minutes or so.
Remove from oven and let sit for 10 minutes.
TEAR IT APART AND SHE'S READY TO GO.
*For the picture I served it over rice and topped with sesame seeds and parsley. I completely forgot about the pickled vegetables I had waiting in my fridge and consumed this before I remembered. You can eat it like this, or JAZZ IT UP.
yes it’s powder HOWEVER. you can easily use fresh if you’ve got that – i keep a jar of ginger paste in my fridge bc it’s easier than buying and dealing with fresh (in my opinion). But I usually call for powder just bc it seems to be the easiest!
Just want to make sure that the Tbsp of ground ginger is the powder kind from the spice aisle and not fresh ginger, right? Thanks so much!
yes it’s powder HOWEVER. you can easily use fresh if you’ve got that – i keep a jar of ginger paste in my fridge bc it’s easier than buying and dealing with fresh (in my opinion). But I usually call for powder just bc it seems to be the easiest!
Thank you, Julia! Powder for now, but I will on the lookout for the paste!😊
How many does this feed?
Hey Tom- i personally think it feeds a solid 4 humans w/ leftovers. If this is your main thing. If it’s a side piece than bump up the human count to 6
Do you rinse off the brine before you cook the roast?
YES. Well you don’t have to rinse, but pat dry- i’ll for sure add that now to the instructions- thanks for catching it!!!