Description
Mary Berry’s classic pork casserole brings rustic British comfort to your dinner table. Tender meat, hearty vegetables, and rich gravy combine in a delightful one-pot meal that will warm souls and satisfy hungry diners with its traditional home-style charm.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 lbs (900g) pork shoulder or loin, cut into 1-inch cubes
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups (300g) chopped vegetables, such as carrots, celery, and bell peppers
Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ cup (125 milliliters) white wine
- 1 ½ cups (375 milliliters) chicken or vegetable stock
- 14 ounces (400 grams) canned chopped tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Warm 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of olive oil in a large ovenproof casserole dish over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Sear the pork pieces until golden brown on all exterior surfaces, creating a rich caramelized crust. Transfer the browned meat to a separate plate.
- Lower the heat and sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic in the same dish, stirring occasionally until they become translucent and fragrant, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Carefully reintroduce the browned pork to the dish, creating layers of flavor.
- Pour in 1 cup (240 milliliters) of dry red wine, 1 cup (240 milliliters) of beef or chicken stock, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf, fresh thyme sprigs, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Gently stir the ingredients to ensure comprehensive integration and distribute seasonings evenly.
- Allow the liquid to reach a gentle boil, then immediately reduce heat to a low simmer for 5-6 minutes to meld flavors.
- Cover the casserole dish and transfer to a preheated oven at 325°F (163°C).
- Slow-cook the pork for 1 hour and 15 minutes, allowing the meat to become exceptionally tender and absorb surrounding aromatics.
- Add chopped root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and parsnips directly into the braising liquid.
- Continue cooking for an additional 30-35 minutes until vegetables are fork-tender and pork falls apart effortlessly.
- Remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Notes
- Elevate your comfort food game with this show-stopping pork casserole that turns simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.
- Leftovers transform magically overnight, developing deeper, more intense flavors that taste even better than the first serving.
- Freezer-friendly preparation means you can stash extra portions for busy weeknights when cooking feels impossible.
- Fatty pork cuts like shoulder guarantee maximum tenderness, creating melt-in-your-mouth meat that falls apart with gentle prodding.
- Cooking slowly allows every ingredient to mingle and marry, producing a rich sauce that begs to be soaked up with crusty bread.
- Professional chefs’ secret: letting meat reach room temperature before cooking ensures beautiful, even caramelization and richer flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering, Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg