Rillettes

16 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
poundsLean pork
2poundsFatty pork
5teaspoonsSalt
2teaspoonsPepper
1pinchNutmeg
½teaspoonAllspice
1pinchDried thyme
2Bay leaves
cupWater

Directions

Cut 3½ pounds of lean pork, can include some bones, and 2 pounds of fatty pork into 2 inch cubes and transfer them to large casserole. Add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, allspice, dried thyme, bay leaves, and water. Bring the water slowly to a boil, stirring constantly, cover tightly and cook in a 300 degree oven for 4 to 5 hours or until all the fat has melted and is clear. The rillettes should cook slowly and never boil. As liquid evaporates, add more water gradually to prevent the meat from sticking.

Drain pork and discard bay leaves. Reserve fat. Shred meat with two forks, discarding bones. Add the fat and mix it with meat. Taste for seasoning.

Transfer rillettes to a stone crock, cover with more fat, and then plastic wrap. Chill the rillettes for at least 2 days before serving. Sealed like this the rillettes can be kept for up to 2 weeks.

Yield: 16 to 18 snacks TASTE SHOW #TS4905 Recipe by: Anne Willan, Regional French Cooking Posted to MC-Recipe Digest V1 #814 by Holly Butman <butma001@...> on Sep 28, 1997