Here’s 10 great ways to use up all your pork before Lent begins.
Collop Monday is the traditional day in which the last meat in the house is supposed to be used up before Lent. It specifically relates to pork, since pigs were killed in the last few weeks before the fast.
So here are 10 pork recipes to get stuck into and help you clean out the fridge with.
Pictured above, this soup is great if you have your own mincer, as you can grind up all your pork leftovers and make meatballs. Store-bought mince is fine though!
Make your meatballs with spring onions, coriander and ginger, then boil up your broth and let them simmer, exchanging flavours with the stock.
Garnish each bowl with a few washed raw beansprouts for crunch, and serve with a plate of herbs such as coriander, basil, diced chilli segments and a wedge of lime so people can adjust their meals to taste.
Slow-cooked pork that's braised until it falls apart at the lightest touch and melts in your mouth, stuffed into crunchy taco shells with homemade coleslaw. This is a really simple recipe, but demands incredible patience, as once the pork becomes aromatic, you'll want to snatch it from the oven and devour it right then.
A straightforward pie from a culinary master. Choose good quality cheese and ham, and you can't go far wrong. A think and creamy béchamel sauce is layered throughout the pie, and the puff pastry is store-bought – cheating, yes, but never mind that. Make your own if you feel the need. This is a beautiful pie either way.
Pork of any shape or size is welcome in this stew, you don't necessarily have to buy a whole new shoulder if you already have leftovers. You can also bulk it out with extra beans if you don't have enough pork to hand, and use some crusty bread to mop up the sauce. Fresh and lemony, this is welcome at any time of year.
Brined pork, tasty button mushooms, fresh vegetables and plenty of spice – everything you'd expect and want from an Asian-style stir fry. Rachel Allen's recipe calls for garlic, ginger, soy sauce and fish sauce to rest the pork in so it absorbs the flavours. Plonk a bottle of sriracha sauce on the table and have at it.
A more traditional option with a twist. Cauliflower cheese has been a favourite with families for years, but the simple addition of bacon brings this one up a notch. Topped with sweet cherry tomatoes and a sprinkling of white pepper, this very well could be the best of the best... let us know what you think!
If you thought there was no scent better than freshly baked bread, you're not quite on the money. Try these loaves instead, containing bacon and cheddar. You don't really need any kind of topping for these, a little butter works fine if you need it. Or just enjoy them warm straight out of the oven.
You read that right. A creamy panna cotta that uses bacon-infused milk as its base, and contains maple syrup too – a new incarnation of a legendary combination. Everything is topped off with a 'crumb' made of crunchy nut cornflakes, crushed cookies and caramelised walnuts. It may seem slightly over-the-top, but we welcome this with open arms.
The key to this recipe is using really good ham. Imagine that glorious flavour, along with freshly cooked eggs and salty potato chips. Fold a little ham around the outside of a baked tomato and eat together, and dip your chips in the runny egg yolk. This meal is a classic for many good reasons.
The slight sweetness to pork meat sits wonderfully with the savoury taste and crumbly texture of Wensleydale cheese. The recipe actually calls for a specific Wensleydale which has apricots inside, adding another layer to the sweet and savoury dichotomy, but you'll do just fine with the regular stuff. Another straightforward winner.
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