It's funny that Baz went for belly pork, because that's exactly what was thinking about...mine is a bit more western though. This is a very easy one pot dish that is just bloody gorgeous!
Belly pork cut into pieces you can just get into your mouth in one go (how ever much you think 2 will eat)
1 onion (for every 2 servings) sliced into 8's root to tip
1 clove of garlic per person
pre-soaked (or canned/jarred) white beans such as cannellini or butter beans or those big Gigantas type(sp?)
Enough cider to barely cover the above (not Woodpecker or Magners!)
Bay Leaf
Whole grain mustard
Creme Fraiche
Heat oven to low heat about 140 or so
Brown belly pork pieces in oil and butter in a casserole type over proof pot (a Le Creuset?), try to get the fat especially to brown nicely (they will probably spit at you a bit)
When done, reduce heat and add onions and garlic and bay leaf, cooking slowly until the onions are lovely and soft and translucent.
Add a sprinkle of flour at this point - not much just enough to get the thickening process going cook out for a minute or so.
Add cider and increase heat until bubbling nicely
Add beans
Place a butter paper loosely over the meat mixture (I never have one when I need it so just some tinfoil usually but I think greaseproof paper will probably work too), out in oven and cook for about 2 1/2 - 3 - 3 1/2 hours - you'll know it's ready when the pork just literally melts and the sauce is unctious beyond words.
Add a dollop of mustard and same of Creme Fraiche (not entirely necessary but nice) and serve with crusty bread and a sprinkle of parsley if you can be bothered/have got some in.
Freezes well, I always freeze it before I add the mustard and Creme Fraiche - don't know if it makes any difference just seems right thing to do.
Thanks for all the great suggestions, I am gonna have plenty to keep myself busy...good stuff!
Loving the fishy one cazt eddie, makes a good change from lots of chicken and pork recipes. Thats a definate for the list! In fact I want some now!
Kai, how the devil are you? I bloody love Nigella 's ham in coke, she has one of ham in cherry coke as well which I do at Christmas - have you tried that? If not - do!
Aife, we have gone for Basque names. She is going to be called Amaia. If by any chance she appears and is actually a he (the three scans would be wrong but you never know!), we will be calling him Josu.
At this stage of the game the little ones are an average of 4.5lbs, I just had a growth scan and she was 5lbs 10oz already and still got the most intense growth period coming up... I think she might come out demanding some of this food herself...scary.
hee hee. I won't be able to move either!
There is a beautiful vegetarian indian place near where we live I have mentioned before as is my favorite place. We quite often go on Friday nights and I have got in the very bad habit of having gulab jamon for dessert and then ordering another portion (or 2) to take home for the weekend!!
The lady there said they are good to make you have a sweet child, so I am only following her advice.
trusted partner
