Bowl of Pork Cider & Barley Stew
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Pork, Cider & Barley Stew


England, Somerset

Makes:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  
6 cup
***
3-1/3 hrs
Yes
Stews featuring Pork and Apple Cider are very popular in Somerset, England where there are many makers of hard cider, sweet cider, and apple brandy.




14
2
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7
5
2
5
5
4
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2
1
6
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1/2
4
2/3
1-1/4
1
1/3
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ar

oz
oz
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oz
oz
cl
oz
oz
oz
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---
T
c
c
T
T
t
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Pork (1)
Bacon (2)
-- Aromatics
Onions
Celery
Garlic
Carrots
Leeks (3)
Fennel bulb
-- Herbs
Bay Leaf
Rosemary sprig  
Sage Leaves
---------
Olive Oil (2)
Broth (4)
Barley, pearl (5)
Hard Cider
Salt
Pepper
-- Garnish
Parsley, flat

Prep   -   (50 min)
  1. Cut Pork into about 3/4 inch cubes.
  2. Slice bacon into fairly thin piecs, 1/2 x 1 inch.
  3. Quarter ONIONS lengthwise and slice crosswise about 1/8 inch. Slice CELERY about 1/8 inch thick. Mix.
  4. Crush GARLIC and chop small.
  5. Slice CARROTS about 1/4 inch thick. If very large, split in half before slicing. Slice LEEKS (white and light green) about 1/8 inch. Core FENNEL, quarter lengthwise and slice crosswise about 1/8 inch. Mix all.
  6. Strip ROSEMARY leaves from stems and chop small. Chop SAGE LEAVES small. Mix both with Bay Leaves.
  7. Chop PARSLEY medium for Garnish.
Run   -   (2-1/2 hrs)   -   exact timing depends on you Barley.
  1. In a 3-1/2 quart sauté pan or similar coverable pan, heat Olive Oil. Stir in Bacon and fry over moderate heat stirring until it has rendered much of it's fat.
  2. Stir in Pork and fry tumbling until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
  3. Adjust Oil as needed to have no more than 1 Tablespoon. Heat Oil, and fry Onions stirring until translucent, then stir in Garlic for about a minute.
  4. Stir in Carrot mix and fry stirring for about 3 minutes.
  5. Stir in Barley, and Pork, then Broth, Cider and Herbs. Bring to a boil, cover tightly and simmer about 1-1/4 hour or until Barley is tender.
  6. Adjust liquid if needed. Season to taste with Salt and Pepper. Simmer another 3 minutes.
  7. Serve hot, garnished with Parsley.
NOTES:
  1. Pork:

      Weight is skinless, boneless, and with excess fat removed, but some fat is good. Just about any cut will do, but in Somerset lean Pork Belly is often used.
  2. Bacon:

      Optional but recommended. If Bacon is not used, increase Olive Oil to 1-1/2 T.
  3. Leeks:

      Weight is for just the white and light green part. You will need to start with about 8 ounces. For prep method see our Leeks page.
  4. Broth:

      Pork or Chicken Broth can be used. I usually use Pork Broth, because that's what I usually have the most of.
  5. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch, ar=as required tt=to taste
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