Pork with Red Wine and Coriander
This dish nicely combines the Mediterranean trio of garlic, red wine, and coriander. I first had it in southern Spain, where the culinary influence of North Africa remains strong. Like most braises, it takes time but, once the initial browning is done, very little work. There are a couple of ways to deal with the coriander: You can leave the seeds whole and wrap them in cheesecloth or just leave them in the sauce and eat them. Or you can crack them first, either with a mortar and pestle or by putting them in a plastic bag and crushing them with a rolling pin or the bottom of a pot. I like crusty bread here, plus a salad or steamed vegetable; the dish is complex and attention-grabbing enough not to bother with much more. Other cuts of meat you can use here: lamb shoulder is a great substitute; chunks of beef chuck or brisket are also good.
Recipe information
Yield
makes 4 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Put the oil in a large deep skillet with a lid and place over medium-high heat. A minute later, add the pork and cook, undisturbed, until brown on one side, about 10 minutes. Stir once and add the garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, for about a minute. Add 1 1/2 cups of the wine, then the cheesecloth with the coriander.
Step 2
Turn the heat to low and cover. Adjust the heat so the mixture simmers gently. Cook for about an hour, until the pork is just about tender (You can prepare in advance up to this point; then cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days before proceeding.)
Step 3
Stir in the remaining red wine; cook for 2 or 3 minutes. Stir in the butter, then taste and add lemon juice as necessary. Stir in half the cilantro, then serve, garnished with the remaining cilantro.
