Are you looking to impress your dinner guests with a delicious Italian dish? Look no further than stinco! This traditional Italian recipe features tender and succulent meat that falls off the bone, paired with aromatic herbs and spices. In this blog post, we will guide you through the steps of making stinco, explaining everything you need to know to recreate this mouthwatering dish in your own kitchen.
What is Stinco?
Stinco, also known as pork shank, is a flavorful cut of meat from the lower leg of the pig. It is a popular dish in Italian cuisine, especially in regions like Lombardy and Tuscany. The secret to its delectable taste lies in slow cooking and the use of fragrant ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2 pork shanks
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon of dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup of white wine
- 1 cup of chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Season the pork shanks with salt and pepper, rubbing it into the meat to ensure even distribution.
3. In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork shanks and sear them until browned on all sides. Remove the shanks from the pot and set aside.
4. In the same pot, add the minced garlic, rosemary, and thyme. Sauté for a minute or until fragrant.
5. Deglaze the pot with white wine, scraping the browned bits from the bottom to incorporate into the sauce.
6. Add the chicken or vegetable broth, sliced onion, diced carrots, and celery to the pot. Stir well to combine.
7. Return the pork shanks to the pot, ensuring they are submerged in the liquid. If necessary, add additional broth or water to cover the shanks.
8. Cover the pot with a lid or aluminum foil and transfer it to the preheated oven. Allow the shanks to braise for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the meat is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
9. Once cooked, remove the pot from the oven. Carefully transfer the pork shanks to a serving platter, covering them with foil to keep warm.
10. To create a delectable sauce, strain the liquid from the pot into a saucepan. Skim off any excess fat and reduce the sauce over medium heat until it thickens.
11. Serve the stinco hot, drizzled with the reduced sauce and accompanied by your favorite side dishes, such as roasted potatoes or creamy polenta.
Cooking stinco is a labor of love, but the end result is well worth the effort. This traditional Italian dish is sure to be a showstopper at your next dinner party or family gathering. With simple ingredients and patience, you can create a mouthwatering meal that will transport you and your guests to the heart of Italy. So, go ahead and give this stinco recipe a try - buon appetito!