Michael Symons Cast Iron Pork Pie Recipes

PORK ROAST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• For the pork: Mix together the mustard and apple cider and brush all sides of the pork loin and ribs with the mixture. Liberally sprinkle the pork loin and ribs with the smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon salt and 2 tablespoons cracked black pepper. Add some oil to a cast-iron skillet or roasting pan, then place the rack of ribs, curved-side down, in the skillet and place the loin, fat-side up, on top of the ribs. Roast until the internal temperature of the loin reaches 145 degrees F, about 30 minutes.
• While the pork begins to roast, cut the carrots, parsnips, potatoes and turnips into wedges using an oblique cut: Place a vegetable on a cutting board and hold your knife at a 45-degree angle to the vegetable. Cutting roughly 1-inch slices on the diagonal, roll the vegetable a quarter turn toward you each time you make a cut so you're cutting point to point until the vegetable is completely cut. Add the carrots, parsnips, potatoes, turnips, garlic and thyme to the skillet with the pork roast. Drizzle with some olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Return the skillet to the oven and continue to cook until the loin reaches 145 degrees F.
• Transfer the pork loin to a cutting board to rest and tent with foil. Return the skillet to the oven and cook until the ribs and vegetables are cooked through, about 30 minutes.
• Remove the skillet from the oven, transfer the vegetables to a platter and transfer the ribs to a cutting board.
• For the pan gravy: Heat the same skillet over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until it absorbs the fat in the skillet. Slowly whisk in the cider and 1 cup water and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly to smooth out any lumps, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Stir in the parsley and set aside.
• Cut the rack of ribs into individual ribs and scatter over the roasted vegetables. Slice the pork loin and shingle onto the platter. Spoon the pan gravy over the top and serve.

MICHAEL SYMON'S CAST IRON PORK PIE

Steps:

• In a cast iron skillet, brown bacon and pork and remove from pan and reserve. To the same pan , add a drizzle of olive oil, onions, kale, celery, garlic,cinnamon, salt, pepper, and nutmeg and sweat for 2 minutes; then add the pork and bacon back to pan with a splash of water. Mix, then add parsley and celery leaves and stir in to combine. Spread mashed potatoes over pork and sprinkle with grated cheddar. Bake at 450^ until golden brown, about 15-20 minutes, garnish with celery leaves and serve.
• Check out my recipe for "Easy Skillet Pot Pie" , too!

PORK PIE

Steps:

• For the double crust leaf lard pastry: In a bowl, mix the flour and salt together with 2 knives. Cut in the lard until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the ice water over the mixture, a spoonful at a time, stirring with a fork and adding just enough water so it holds together. Shape into a ball, press into a flat disc, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.
• For the pork filling: Heat a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp; remove to a plate. Add the pork and a pinch of salt and brown for 2 minutes; remove to a plate. Add the potatoes, celery, celery leaves, parsley, savory, garlic and onions and sweat for 3 to 5 minutes. Deglaze the skillet with 1 cup of water, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Add the pork and bacon back to the skillet with the cinnamon, cloves and a large pinch of salt, and simmer until the liquid has evaporated, 20 minutes.
• While the mixture is simmering, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly flour a work surface. Roll out the chilled pastry into two 13-inch rounds for a 10-inch double-crust pie, or into one 14-inch round for a single-crust pie. If using the double-crust method, line a 10-inch pie plate with one of the pastry rounds and fill with the meat mixture; cover with the remaining pastry. Trim and crimp the edges to seal, and cut small steam vents. Brush the top of the pastry with the egg yolk and milk mixture. If using the single-crust method, place the meat mixture in a 10-inch pie plate and cover with the single pastry round. Trim, press the edges into the sides of the pan and cut small steam vents in the center. Brush the top of the pastry with the egg yolk and milk mixture. Bake until the crust is golden, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool for 30 minutes and serve warm.