Description
Hearty Portuguese pork casserole delivers rich comfort straight from traditional kitchen secrets. Tender meat and robust spices blend seamlessly, promising warmth with each savory bite you’ll eagerly devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2 lbs (900g) pork shoulder or loin, cut into 1-inch cubes
Vegetables:
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cups (300g) chopped vegetables (carrots, celery, and bell peppers)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup (125ml) white wine
- 1 1/2 cups (375ml) chicken or vegetable stock
- 14 ounces (400g) canned chopped tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 160°C (325°F), preparing a warm environment for slow-cooking the hearty casserole.
- Heat oil in a large skillet and sear the pork pieces until golden brown, creating a rich caramelized exterior. Transfer meat to a separate plate.
- In the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic for 5 minutes, releasing their aromatic flavors and building a robust flavor foundation.
- Pour wine into the skillet, scraping up browned bits from the bottom, and allow the liquid to reduce and concentrate.
- Combine the seared pork with tomatoes, tomato paste, stock, herbs, and seasonings in a deep casserole dish, ensuring all ingredients are well integrated.
- Cover the casserole and transfer to the preheated oven, letting the meat simmer and tenderize for 75 minutes.
- Introduce chopped vegetables to the casserole, then return to the oven uncovered for an additional 30 minutes to allow vegetables to cook and sauce to thicken.
- Remove the bay leaf, which has imparted its subtle flavor during cooking, and serve the rich, succulent pork casserole hot.
Notes
- Choose fatty cuts like shoulder or belly for maximum flavor and tenderness during slow cooking.
- Marinate pork overnight in red wine or herbs to enhance depth and richness of the casserole.
- Sear meat at high temperature to lock in juices and create delicious caramelized exterior before braising.
- Consider gluten-free substitution by using cornstarch instead of traditional flour for thickening sauce and ensuring dietary flexibility.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 105 mins
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 291 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg