Flavor First: Jose Garces WEB EXCLUSIVE recipe

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Shredded Confit Pork with Rosemary-Brown Butter Applesauce and Catalan Escarole.

There are several steps to prepare the shredded confit pork in this recipe, but the tender meat makes for an impressive dish. You won’t need many sides to complete the meal. I serve a simple rosemary–brown butter applesauce, wilted escarole, and chicharrones—a Latin favorite.

Serves 4

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 servings shredded confit pork cubes
• 8 cups vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup rosemary–brown butter applesauce
• 1 1/2 cups Catalán escarole
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika oil
• 4 chicharrones

Shredded Confit Pork Cubes

Yields 4 servings

• 2 (2-pound) pork shanks
• Vegetable oil, to cover
• 6 sheets gelatin
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt         

To make shredded confit pork cubes: Preheat oven to 250°F. Using a filet knife, cut the bones from the shanks. Place meat in a deep pan and cover with oil. Cover pan tightly with two layers of aluminum foil. Place in the oven to cook, 3 hours and 15 minutes. Remove the shanks from the oven and take them out of the oil. Discard the oil.

Increase oven temperature to 300°F. Place shanks on a roasting rack on a sheet tray. Cook 20 minutes. Remove shanks from oven and shred meat into a bowl.

Bloom gelatin in ice water. Squeeze out excess water. In a saucepan over low heat, heat chicken stock and season with salt. Add gelatin to dissolve. Add stock to shredded meat. Mix well. Press into a 3-inch-by-12-inch-by-3-inch mold. Place a weight on top of the meat and refrigerate to set, 8 hours. Unmold meat and cut into four 2-inch cubes, discarding the edges.

Rosemary–Brown Butter Applesauce

Yields 3/4 cup

• 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup plus 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons apple cider
• 2 tablespoons rosemary leaves

To make rosemary–brown butter applesauce: In a saucepan over low heat, sweat apples with sugar and 1/2 tablespoon butter until soft.

In a separate saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/4 cup butter and cook until it browns. Add browned butter, apple cider, and rosemary to apple mixture. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until apples are very tender . Pour the mixture into a food processor and puree until smooth. Chill. Rosemary–brown butter applesauce can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.