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Pork Cheeks with Polenta

17/11/2023

Pork cheeks are a rich and flavorful cut, and pairing them with polenta creates a comforting and warm dish, characteristic of the Italian culinary tradition, particularly in Northern Italy. Here’s how to prepare pork cheeks with polenta:

Ingredients

For the pork cheeks:

  • 4 pork cheeks
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 onion
  • 1 celery stalk
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 500 ml of robust red wine
  • 500 ml of meat broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the polenta:

  • 250 g of cornmeal for polenta
  • 1 liter of water
  • Salt to taste

Preparation

  1. Start with marinating the pork cheeks. Clean the cheeks by removing any residues and place them in a bowl. Add the red wine, roughly chopped onion, carrot and celery, bay leaves, and crushed garlic. Let the cheeks marinate in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours.

  2. After the marinating time, remove the cheeks and pat them dry with paper towels. Strain the marinade, keeping the vegetables and liquid separate.

  3. In a casserole dish, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and brown the pork cheeks on all sides until they turn golden. Then, remove the cheeks from the pan and set them aside.

  4. In the same pan, add the marinated vegetables and sauté until they become soft.

  5. Return the cheeks to the pan with the vegetables, add the marinade liquid and the meat broth until it covers the cheeks. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover with a lid, and let simmer for about 2-3 hours, until the meat is tender.

  6. While the cheeks are cooking, prepare the polenta. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot and salt it. Gradually pour in the cornmeal, stirring with a whisk to prevent lumps from forming. Continue cooking the polenta on low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 40-50 minutes until it reaches the desired consistency.

  7. Once the cheeks are cooked, remove them from the cooking liquid and strain it to obtain a smooth sauce. If necessary, reduce the sauce over medium-high heat to concentrate the flavors.

  8. Serve the warm pork cheeks on a bed of soft polenta, topped with their cooking sauce.

Curiosity

The pork cheeks with polenta dish is considered a comfort food in the northern regions of Italy like Veneto and Lombardy, and is often served in convivial occasions during the fall and winter seasons. The long cooking of the cheeks makes them extraordinarily tender and savory.