Cider-Braised Pork Cheeks

Ingredients:

8 (4 ounces) pork cheeks
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup all-purpose flour for dredging, or as needed
2 tablespoons clarified butter
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 cups hard apple cider
2 cups homemade or low-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh sage leaves
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 small carrot, diced 1 rib celery, diced

Directions:

1.Season both sides of pork cheeks with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with flour and press it into the meat to coat thoroughly.

2.Heat clarified butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Sear meat on both sides until richly browned, adjusting heat lower if necessary. When cheeks are browned, reduce heat to medium. Transfer cheeks to a plate to rest.

3.Remove all but 2 tablespoons fat from the skillet. Add onions, carrots, and celery to skillet. Cook and stir until softened and sweet, seasoning with a pinch of salt. Add vinegar and stir to deglaze the pan. Pour in the cider and chicken stock. Bring to a simmer. Add sage and rosemary. Reduce heat to low and transfer cheeks back to pan. Cover. Cook until fork tender but not falling apart, 2 to 3 hours depending on the size of the pork cheeks. Transfer to a plate.

4.Bring liquid to a boil over high heat, skimming off fat as it rises to the surface. Reduce the volume of liquid by about 60 to 70%. The sauce will start to thicken up. Taste for salt and season as needed. Transfer cheeks back to liquid. Continue to cook over medium-low heat until cheeks are heated through and tender and sauce are thick enough to coat cheeks.