Ingredients

Title Value
1.
Pork cheeks
8 (4 ounce)
2.
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
8 (4 ounce)
3.
All-purpose flour for dredging, or as needed
½ cup
4.
Clarified butter
2 tablespoons
5.
Apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons
6.
Hard apple cider
2 cups
7.
Homemade or low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups
8.
Finely chopped fresh sage leaves
1 teaspoon
9.
Finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon
10.
Yellow onion, diced
1 small
11.
Carrot, diced
1 small
12.
Celery, diced
1 rib

Cooking

1 . Stage

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

2 . Stage

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 . Stage

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 . Stage

Bring liquid to a boil over high heat, skimming off fat as it rises to the surface. Reduce volume of liquid by about 60 to 70%. 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 is thick enough to coat cheeks. Chef John