Cook this offcut of pork in a Spanish-inspired sauce of sweet sherry, cumin, paprika, parsley and almonds- it’s a great addition to a tapas spread. Pork cheeks are a sublime cut, lovely and tender when properly cooked; no bones, just delicious meat. The perfect pairing to these cheeks is some creamy potato mash flavoured with roast garlic, and a cold glass of amontillado sherry.
INGREDIENTS Serves 4
olive oil, for frying
1 large onion, finely chopped
600g pork cheeks, excess fat trimmed and cut in half
1 tablespoon flour, seasoned with salt and pepper
2 fat garlic cloves, crushed
½ teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
150ml medium dry sherry
500ml beef stock
handful flat-leaf parsley, leaves picked
handful toasted flaked almonds
METHOD
Heat 1 – 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pan then add the onion. Cook gently for 10 – 15 minutes until softened and lightly coloured. Remove and set aside.
Toss the cheeks in the seasoned flour. Add a little more oil to the pan and turn up the heat. Brown the pork cheeks all over in batches. Turn the heat down to medium.
Return all the pork and the reserved onions to the pan. Add the garlic, cumin and paprika and cook for a minute, then pour in the sherry. Use your spoon to scrape the bottom of the pan and mix in all the flavours.
Pour in the beef stock then bring the pan to a simmer. Simmer gently for 2 hours or until the cheeks are tender.
Scatter with parsley leaves and flaked almonds. Serve with buttery mashed potato.
Original Recipe BBC Good Food
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