Lentils And Pork Coastal Style Lentejas Costenas Con Puerco Recipes

COTECHINO CON LENTICCHIE

Steps:

• Pierce the cotechino with a fork in several places. In a large pot place the cotechino, chopped onion, 1 bay leaf, peppercorns and thyme. Cover with water and bring all to a boil. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 45 to 50 minutes, if using fresh cotechino (for precooked cotechino, simmer for 20 minutes).
• In a large pot combine the lentils, quartered onion, garlic, bay leaf, carrot and salt and pepper to taste. Cover with the 4 cups of water. Bring all to a boil; cover, reduce heat to low and let simmer for 40 to 45 minutes or until lentils are soft. Add additional water if necessary.
• Remove the onion, garlic, bay leaf and carrot; discard. Spoon the lentils into a serving dish, drizzle with olive oil and slice rounds of the cotechino over the top. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve.

CALABACITA CON PUERCO

Steps:

• Heat shortening in Dutch oven; fry pork cubes in batches until browned.
• Return all pork to pan.
• Place chilies and onion in food processor container and process until chopped (or chop together by hand).
• Slice garlic and place with cominos and salt in a mortar and pestle and grind together.
• (The garlic and cominos and salt can be chopped in the food processor with the chilies and onion, but grinding it gives it more flavor).
• Add all vegetables to pan with pork and cook over high heat until onion is transparent.
• Sprinkle flour over pork and vegetables and stir to combine.
• Cook a few minutes to remove the raw taste of the flour.
• Add all remaining ingredients plus about 1 tomato can of water--enough so that pork and vegetables are not quite covered with liquid.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover with a lid.
• Cook at a simmer for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally, checking periodically and adding more water if necessary.

ROASTED PORK WITH LENTILS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Combine the lentils, squash, bay leaves and 2 1/2 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low, cover and cook until tender, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix the mustard and thyme in a small bowl; brush all over the pork. Place the pork on a baking sheet and sprinkle with the breadcrumbs. Transfer to the oven and roast until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 145 degrees F, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the bacon, shallots and celery in a medium skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is crisp and the shallots are golden, about 8 minutes. Add the wine and cook until it evaporates, about 5 more minutes. Stir in the parsley.
• Remove the pork from the oven, cover loosely with foil and let rest 5 minutes. Divide the lentil mixture among plates. Slice the pork and serve with the lentils. Spoon the bacon mixture on top.