I recently finished reading Dinner, A Love Story by Jenny Rosenstrach. If you haven’t heard of the book, check it out! It’s great for helping you get started with meal planning tips with a family and is filled with great, yummy recipes. I’m going to post my review of the book soon. To celebrate finishing the book, I cooked up Jenny’s Pork Shoulder Ragu!
I made a couple changes because I couldn’t get my hands on fresh thyme (TJ’s didn’t have any and I didn’t want to stop at another store with kids in tow) so I used rosemary I had at home. Don’t do this unless you enjoy picking out all the little rosemary leaves or like eating them. I also used linguine noodles since I had them at home already (I’m a big believer in using ingredients you already have if possible)!
Now I know why she cooks this dish so often! Takes some time for the braising but is super easy. I put mine in the oven, took the girls to the park, recruited my husband to turn every hour or so, came home and voila! We had dinner. Hope you enjoy!
Pork Shoulder Ragù with Linguine
Ingredients
- 2 to 2 1/2- pound boneless pork shoulder roast
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small onion; chopped
- 1 garlic clove; minced
- 1 - 28 oz can whole tomatoes or diced with juice
- 1 cup red wine; plus more if needed
- 5 sprigs fresh thyme
- 5 sprigs fresh oregano
- Small handful of fennel seeds
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce for smokiness (Jenny uses Trader Joe’s Hot Chili Sauce; optional)
- Linguine
- Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Liberally salt and pepper the pork roast. Add olive oil and butter to large Dutch oven and heat over medium-high until butter melts, but does not burn. Add pork roast to pan and brown on all sides, about 8-10 minutes in all.
- Add the onions and garlic and saute for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, wine, thyme, oregano, fennel and hot sauce (if using) and bring to a boil. Cover, and put in oven. Braise for 3-4 hours, turning every hour or so. If you are cooking less pork (only 1 pound or 1.5), you only need to braise for 2 hours. Add more liquid (water, wine, or tomato sauce) if needed. I recommend adding more tomato sauce. (The liquid should come to about 1/3 of the way up the pork.) Meat is done when it’s practically falling apart. Put on a cutting board and pull it apart with two forks, then add back to pot and stir.
- Cook 1 to 2 pounds pasta (depending on how many people you are feeding) according to package directions. When it’s ready, place into individual bowls and top with the pork shoulder ragu and lots of Parmigiano-Reggiano!
Ben Hoang (@ebullientmind) says
Wow. This looks amazing Alice! So gonna try it! Thanks!
hipfoodiemom says
Thanks Ben! Let me know how it turns out! 🙂
Bam's Kitchen says
This sounds like a yummy Sunday family meal.
hipfoodiemom says
It was! I hope you’re able to give this one a try! 🙂
Stephanie says
Looks fantastic! We have pasta on Sunday’s (old family tradition – my grandma always did so I do too) and I think this would be a great change of pace!
hipfoodiemom says
sounds great! Let me know if you try this one! 🙂
gottagetbaked says
I’ve been hearing so much about that book, I want to read it! I love a good book featuring food. Your pork shoulder ragu looks so freaking good. I just ate dinner and these gorgeous photos are making me hungry again!
hipfoodiemom says
Thank you Nancy! 🙂 And I recommend the book! More on the book soon. .
playingwithflour says
Yum! I think I’ll be making this soon.
hipfoodiemom says
Let me know how it turns out for you if you do! 🙂
Sara says
Looks delicious. I always make my ragu half with ground pork and half ground beef. I make big batches and freeze, it’s so great to have on hand. Since we have a meat CSA, I don’t usually have these shoulder cuts–we’re usually behind in using our meat in fact so I can’t ever justify buying more.
hipfoodiemom says
Thank you, Sara! If you have a Costco close by, they have pork shoulder at pretty reasonable prices. Not one big cut but several pieces. So, I buy it there and freeze the pork in batches and it lasts a while.
Ashley - Baker by Nature says
This is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen… what can I say, I’m Italian (pasta gets me excited!). Your blog makes my mouth water each and every visit!
hipfoodiemom says
Thank you so much, Ashley! Wow, you made my day! That is like the ultimate compliment for a food blogger! b/c that is what I am aiming to do! Thank you again! 🙂
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Alice, this pasta looks absolutely delicious, and I can’t wait to try it. Pinned!
hipfoodiemom says
Thank you so much, Jennie! Let me know how you like it! 🙂
The Hungry Mum says
Mmmmm, pasta. You just can’t beat it. The HUngry Dad would love this [I’m vegie] and if he’s nice I might make it for him 🙂