Ricette Italiane (Italian Recipes)

© Copyright 1995-2023, Clay Irving <clay@panix.com>, Manhattan Beach, CA USA

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Spalla Di Maiale (Pork Chops With Tuscan Kale)

Recipe from: Buster's friend
Servings: 4

Recipe of Dario Cecchini, the Tuscan meat-cutter who may just be the most famous butcher in the world, according to the editors of Food & drink Weekly who posted this recipe in their Top Picks of 2008. This fits in well with our winter cavalo nero sitting pretty in the winter garden. 1 hour marinating time for pork not included in prep time.

1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons fennel seeds
1¼ pounds pork butt — the leaner part of the cut
1 pound kale, cavalo nero
¼ cup olive oil
3 garlic cloves, peeled

Using a mortar and pestle, or a coffee or spice grinder, coarsely grind together 1 teaspoons salt and the fennel seed. Cut the roast crosswise into slices that are one-fourth- to one-half-inch thick. Arrange on a plate and season with the salt and fennel seed mixture. Set aside at room temperature for at least 1 hour.

Bring a large pot of water to boil. While waiting for the water to heat, strip the stems from the kale, and chop the leaves coarsely. Add the leaves to the boiling water and cook until they are tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain, squeeze dry and set aside.

When ready to cook, pour the oil into a large skillet and place over medium-high heat. Add the garlic cloves, and cook until they begin to brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and discard. Add the meat to the hot oil and brown on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

Remove the pork to a clean plate and put in a warm place. Reduce the heat to low, add the kale to the pan and cook, stirring to coat with the pan drippings, until the flavor mellows and combines, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt.

Arrange the pork on top of the kale, pouring any collected juices in the plate over the greens. Season with more salt if necessary, cover and cook over low heat until the pork is heated through, about 3 minutes. Serve immediately, spooning a mound of the greens onto the plate and placing the pork steak on top.