Crispy Braised Pork Shanks

  0.0 – 0 reviews  • Lemon
Level: Intermediate
Total: 3 hr 10 min
Prep: 10 min
Inactive: 50 min
Cook: 2 hr 10 min
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

  1. Peanut oil, for deep frying
  2. 6 cloves garlic, peeled
  3. 2 ribs celery, halved
  4. 1 onion, quartered
  5. 3 pork hind shanks
  6. 2 tablespoons kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning
  7. 2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns
  8. 2 bay leaves
  9. 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  10. 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  11. 1 cup dry white wine
  12. Freshly ground black pepper
  13. Pinot noir, for serving
  14. Fried Caper and Lemon Gremolata, recipe follows
  15. Prepared chimichurri sauce, for serving, optional
  16. 1/3 cup golden raisins
  17. 2 tablespoons honey
  18. Vegetable oil, for frying
  19. 1/3 cup capers, drained
  20. 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
  21. 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  22. Juice of 1 lemon
  23. 2 medium shallots, finely diced (about 1/2 cup)
  24. 1 clove garlic, minced
  25. Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  26. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

  1. Coat a large pot or Dutch oven with peanut oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, celery and onions. Cook until the vegetables are browned, about 5 minutes. Add the shanks to the pot along with the salt, peppercorns, bay and thyme. Pour in the chicken broth and wine, then add enough water to just barely cover the shanks. Bring to a boil then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour 30 minutes. 
  2. Remove the shanks from the pot and set on a wire rack over a sheet tray. Allow the shanks to drain and cool, 25 to 30 minutes. If you have time, you can also place the shanks in the refrigerator, uncovered, for 2 to 3 hours (this will really help dry the outsides of the shanks so that when you fry them they will get super crispy and also won’t splatter as much). 
  3. Pat the cooled and drained shanks dry with paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat 3 inches of peanut oil in a deep, heavy pot, such as a Dutch oven or tall stock pot, to 350 degrees F. Working in batches, carefully add the shanks to the pot, skin-side down. Cover and leave slightly ajar until the oil settles. Cook, turning once, until the shanks are golden brown and crispy, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and season with salt. Repeat with the remaining shanks. Serve crispy fried pork shanks with the Fried Caper and Lemon Gremolata and chimichurri sauce if using. 
  4. Place the golden raisins in a bowl of hot water with 1 tablespoon of the honey and gently squeeze them with the back of a spoon to plump them back up. Rehydrate for 2 to 3 minutes. Drain and set aside. 
  5. Heat 1/2-inch oil to 350 degrees F in a saute pan over medium-high heat. Fry the capers for 30 to 45 seconds. Drain and set aside. 
  6. Combine the parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, shallots, garlic, remaining 1 tablespoon honey, fried capers and raisins in a mixing bowl and stir. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with the olive oil and set aside to allow the flavors to come together, 10 to 15 minutes.

Reviews

Jennifer Carpenter
I am so excited to make this but finding those pork shanks was impossible here.  The butcher and I came up with what we think will be comparable so I will let you know.

 

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