Braised Pork Medley

This Braised Pork Medley is a meat-lover’s dream featuring fall-off-the-bone ribs and juicy pork shoulder and sausages.

Braising is a cooking technique that involves searing meat and then slowly cooking it in liquid or its own juices over a low heat, resulting in tender and flavourful meat that falls apart at the touch of a fork. In this recipe, we’ll be using a combination of side ribs, pork shoulder, and pork sausages to create a rich and savoury dish that’s perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion.

The result is a delicious and satisfying meal that’s perfect for serving with a variety of sides. Try pairing this braised pork with creamy mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal that’s sure to please. In Romania this is known as “tochitura de porc” and it’s typically served with a side of polenta topped with some cheese and sometimes sunny-side-up eggs.

Ingredients

1 kg (2.2 lbs) side ribs, cut into pieces
1.3 kg ( 3 lbs) pork shoulder or a mix of pork shoulder and pork shoulder chops, cut into ~ 5 cm (2’’) chunks
1 kg (2.2 lbs) mild pork sausages, cut into pieces
1 Tbsp sweet paprika
150 g (9 Tbsp) tomato paste
350 ml (1.5 cups) red wine
8-10 garlic cloves, cut into slices
3 bay leaves
a few tablespoons of oil
salt to taste

This makes enough for 10 servings.

Directions

Heat the oil over medium-high heat and brown the ribs on all sides until a golden crust forms. Add the pork shoulder chunks on top and sear these as well. If your pan is smaller, brown the meat in batches.

Season it with salt.

Transfer the meat with all the juices to a pot. Cover it with a lid and let it simmer on low heat.

In the meantime, add more oil to your pan and cook the sausages until they form a golden crust.

Add the sausages over the meat.

Add the sweet paprika, tomato paste, bay leaves, garlic slices and red wine. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.

Cover the pot and let the meat simmer until it’s tender and falling apart (~1.5-2 hrs).

Pair this braised pork with creamy mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal that’s sure to please.