Rediscovering pork: Tender cheeks make a comeback

Among the most popular meat choices, chicken fillets reign supreme. However, during a visit to the butcher shop, it's worth looking around because there's much more meat worth noting. Some of it has been unjustly forgotten and is still waiting to regain its popularity.

During one of my visits to the butcher shop, I was pondering what to choose for dinner. The saleswoman observing me decided to make my task easier and mentioned that she had beautiful, plump pork cheeks that would taste excellent after being braised in their sauce. Unfortunately, customers rarely opt for this type of meat and instead choose more popular cuts.

Pork cheeks are tender and tasty meat that is unjustly overlooked during shopping. Although harsh and lean, they become soft and delicate after long braising and melt in your mouth. Thanks to their high collagen content, they become somewhat sticky. They taste great braised in their sauce or with red wine, which pairs wonderfully with pork.

The saleswoman at the butcher shop suggested making pork cheeks in their sauce. This recipe is a dinner sensation—the meat is tender, and the sauce created during braising pairs excellently with potatoes, rice, or groats. It's a tasty variation from classic stews.

Ingredients:

                                      
• 1 pound of pork cheeks
• 1 cup hot water
• 4 allspice berries
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 large carrot
• 1 onion
• 1 tablespoon wheat flour
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• Oil for frying
• Parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Peel and dice the carrot, and slice the onion into wedges.
2. Wash, dry, and cut the pork cheeks into smaller pieces. Dust them with flour to coat the meat's surface well.
3. Heat oil in a pan and add the pork cheeks. Fry them over medium heat for 5 minutes on each side until golden.
4. Add bay leaves, allspice berries, carrot, and onion to the meat—season with salt and pepper to taste. Fry the vegetables with the meat for a few minutes.
5. Pour in the hot water and bring it to a boil. Then reduce the heat, cover the pan with a lid, and braise the meat until tender, about 1.5-2 hours.

Garnish the finished cheeks in their own sauce with chopped parsley. Enjoy!