Konrads Pork Shoulder Gravy Recipes

KONRAD'S PORK SHOULDER GRAVY

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the caraway seeds, garlic powder, smoked paprika and salt. Remove and reserve a third of the spice mix in a separate small bowl. Score the pork shoulder on the cap side with a sharp knife, making 8 shallow cross-cuts. Add the pork shoulder to the large bowl with the spice mix, then rub the entire pork shoulder with the spice mix. Cover with the mustard and let sit for 20 minutes.
• In a soup pot, heat the olive oil and vegetable oil on high heat, then add the pork shoulder on the scored-skin side. Sear all sides of the meat to lock in the deep flavor and juices. Add the garlic and thyme. Add the chicken broth, bay leaves and pickle juice and let it simmer, covered, until the meat falls off the bone, 1 1/2 hours. Shred the meat to bite-size pieces in the pot. Add more of the reserved spice mix to taste. Combine 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 cup water in a small bowl, adding a bit more cornstarch and whisking together well until you have a "buttermilk" consistency. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the gravy slowly, a little bit at a time, stirring to the desired thickness.

ROASTED PORK SHOULDER WITH PAN GRAVY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Sprinkle the pork really well with salt, pepper and paprika. Tie the pork with kitchen twine (or you can purchase it tied from the butcher). Set a roasting rack inside of a roasting pan and place the pork on the rack. Roast for 3 hours, basting periodically.
• After 3 hours remove the pork from the oven and gently lift the rack off the pan. Scatter the carrots, potatoes, onions and garlic in an even layer and season with salt and pepper. Place the rack and pork back on top of the vegetables and continue to roast until the vegetables are caramelized and the pork is tender and yielding, another 2 to 3 hours.
• Remove from the oven and allow the pork to rest for 15 minutes while you make the pan gravy.
• Remove the vegetables to your serving platter and place the pan over the stove-top burner on medium heat. Add the flour and stir to combine with the fat. Gradually stir in the stock, being sure to scrape the bottom of the pan for brown bits. Bring to a simmer so the gravy can fully thicken, and then stir in the parsley. Serve the pork with lots of vegetables and the pan gravy on and around.