Braised Pork Cheeks with Polenta and Squid

Slow-braised spiced pork cheeks served with creamy parmesan polenta, sautéed kale, and pan-fried squid for a sophisticated surf-and-turf dish.

Estimated Nutrition

Per Serving Total
Calories 903.7 kcals 3614.8 kcals
Carbohydrates 66.1 grams 264.4 grams
Fat 45.6 grams 182.2 grams
Protein 49.6 grams 198.4 grams
Cook Time
150 mins
Produces
4 people
Allergies
Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy Free
Gluten Free

Ingredients

CondimentsSauces
Dairy
500
ml
Milk
full fat
25
g
Parmesan
grated
25
g
Butter
unsalted, for polenta
25
g
Butter
for kale
Fruits
1
piece
Lemon
juice only
GrainsCereals
175
g
Polenta
quick-cook
Liquids
150
ml
1000
ml
Chicken Stock
for braising
500
ml
Chicken Stock
for polenta
Meat
12
piece
Pork Cheeks
fat and sinew removed
NutsSeeds
2
piece
1
clove
Garlic
peeled
1
sprig
Thyme
fresh
1
piece
1
piece
Salt
to taste
1
piece
Black Pepper
to taste
OilsFats
2
tbsp
Olive Oil
for frying pork
1
tbsp
Olive Oil
for squid
Other
2
tbsp
Seafood
1
piece
Squid
medium, cleaned, scored, cut into triangles
Vegetables
1
piece
Onion
peeled, chopped
2
piece
Carrots
peeled, chopped
2
piece
Tomatoes
chopped
200
g

Steps

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C.
  • Season the pork cheeks with salt and pepper.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan and brown the pork cheeks for 5 minutes.
  • Drain the fat from the pan and deglaze with red wine vinegar.
  • Fry chopped onions and carrots in the remaining olive oil until soft.
  • Add white wine and spices and reduce the liquid by half.
  • Add the pork, tomatoes, garlic, herbs, honey, soy sauce, and 1 liter of stock.
  • Bake in the oven for 2 hours until the pork is tender.
  • Strain the cooking liquid and discard the vegetables.
  • Reduce the strained liquid with the pork in a saucepan until sticky and glazed.
  • Boil 500ml milk and 500ml stock, then whisk in the polenta and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Stir parmesan and 25g butter into the polenta and season.
  • Sauté the kale in 25g butter and pan-fry the squid in olive oil for 2 minutes.
  • Season the squid with lemon juice and salt.
  • Serve the pork and squid over the polenta with kale on the side.