Braised Pork and Mashed Potatoes

So what smells so good today in my kitchen??

Well i have a busy evening a head of me so Im doing prep and walk away meal...

Braised Pork with mashed potatoes

So the braised pork came from Melissa D'Arabian from foodnetwork...

You take 2 pounds of pork shoulder (i use a natural pork roast, its got less fat and I use only about a pound and a halfish)
2 bay leaves
1 medium onion
2 carrots (her recipe calls for one but i like carrots so I use 2)
3 celery stalks ( again hers calls for 2 but I use 3)
2 cloves garlic ( I use more because I love garlic)
2 tbsps tomato paste
1 cup red wine
1 1/2 cups beef stock or broth ( you can use veggie stock too)
1 bunch parsley stems (bind together with butchers twine or a regular old rubber band, I use the ones that come on scallons)

Ok so you can either preheat your oven to 325 or set your slow cooker to cook for 3-4 hours ( Melissa's recipe calls for you to use the oven, but I use the slow cooker when I am going to be leaving the house during the cooking time)

Cut your pork into large chunks and add to hot skillet, that you have already heated some olive oil in (use skillet if your going to use your slow cooker to finish the meal, use a dutch oven if your going to use the oven to finish your meal) brown the meat on both sides and remove. After you remove the pork add your cut up your celery, onion, and carrots.

After cooking your veggies for 5-7 minutes add garlic and cook for about another 2 minutes.
Then add tomato paste and cook for about 2 minutes to cook out the raw flavor.
After that add flower and also cook down for about 2 minutes to cook out the raw flavor.
Then add a cup of red wine, let reduce by half.
Once sauce has reduced by half, add pork back to slow cooking and stir sauce on top (add pork back to pan if your going to use your dutch oven to finish your meal)
Once you have added your pork, then stir in your beef stock (veggie if you prefer), add parsley stems and bay leaves.

If you are using your slow cooking cover and walk away. If your using your oven place lid on top and put in oven. Your meal will be done in approx 3 hours or when pork is fork tender.


MASHED POTATOES

Everyone loves good mashed potatoes, but using all that cream and butter can be not so good for you. Instead I will use Yukon gold potatoes and when its time to mash I will use more of my veggie stock and I will use my butter or margarine sparingly. I also use chives to punch up the flavor as well..


Happy eating everyone!!