Description
Mary Berry’s pork casserole delivers rich comfort through classic British culinary tradition. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a warm meal that invites diners to savor each delectable spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (900g) pork shoulder or loin, cubed
- 2 cups (300g) chopped vegetables (carrots, celery, bell peppers)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups (375 ml) chicken or vegetable stock
- ½ cup (125 ml) white wine
- 14 oz (400g) canned chopped tomatoes
- 2 tbsps vegetable oil
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Searing: Heat olive oil in an ovenproof casserole dish over medium-high heat. Brown pork pieces thoroughly, creating a caramelized exterior, then transfer to a separate plate.
- Aromatic Foundation: Reduce heat and sauté onions and garlic until translucent, developing a rich flavor base. Return browned pork to the dish, layering complexity.
- Liquid Infusion: Introduce red wine, beef stock, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir comprehensively to distribute seasonings and create a harmonious braising liquid.
- Initial Cooking: Bring mixture to a gentle boil, immediately reduce to a low simmer for flavor melding. Cover and transfer to a preheated oven at 325°F (163°C).
- Slow Transformation: Cook for 1 hour, allowing pork to become exceptionally tender. Incorporate root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and parsnips into the braising liquid.
- Final Refinement: Continue cooking an additional 30-35 minutes until vegetables are fork-tender and pork reaches a melt-in-your-mouth consistency. Remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs, adjust seasonings to taste, and serve.
Notes
- Meat Selection Matters: Choose well-marbled pork shoulder or pork butt for maximum tenderness and rich flavor development during slow cooking.
- Wine Wisdom: Use a dry red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to enhance depth and create complex, layered taste profiles in the casserole.
- Searing Secrets: Brown meat thoroughly before braising to lock in juices and develop a delectable caramelized exterior that amplifies overall taste.
- Temperature Precision: Maintain a consistent low oven temperature around 325°F to ensure gradual, gentle cooking that transforms tough meat into meltingly soft, succulent bites.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering, Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg