cider-braised pork shoulder

It’s cold outside. Time for hot cider, warm garlic, sprigs of thyme, and pork shoulder.

You may not think of putting these together to stave off a January day. We’re going to change your mind.

Frankly, you don’t need this recipe. You could take all these ingredients, stand over the stove, and make beautiful food with your hands.

But if you want a starter recipe, here’s one we think you’ll like.

Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder

2 ½ pound pork shoulder roast
¼ cup dijon mustard
¼ cup whole grain mustard
kosher salt and cracked black pepper, a pinch each
3 tablespoons canola oil
6 small shallot bulbs, peeled and rough chopped
3 garlic cloves, peeled and fine chopped
3 sprigs of thyme, leaves removed and chopped
½ gallon of best apple cider you can find

Preparing the pork shoulder. Mix the two mustards together, then add the salt and pepper. Stir. Slather the entire mixture over the pork shoulder. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 350°.

Searing the pork shoulder. Bring a Dutch oven (or cast-iron skillet) to medium-high heat. Add the canola oil and bring it to heat. Lay the pork shoulder down in the sizzling oil. Allow it to sizzle and pop for about five minutes, or until that side has browned. Carefully, turn the shoulder over and brown the other side. Take the pork shoulder out of the pan and set it aside.

Sautéeing the shallots. Put the shallots into the hot oil. Allow them to brown for a moment. Add the garlic and sautée for a moment more. Add the thyme. When the herb smell wafts to your nose, warmly, add the pork shoulder back in.

Braising the shoulder. Pour the apple cider all around the shoulder, or until it comes up to about ¾ of the meat. Put the lid on the pot and slip it in the oven. Cook for at least three hours, or until the warm pork and cider smell makes you lose your mind unless you take it out of the oven right now! (You should also look for the temperature to be about 160°.)

Serves 6.

This recipe originally appeared on our other blog, Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef. We pulled it up and decided to make this for dinner. Then we got to thinking that you might enjoy it this weekend as well.