Big Island Wild Pig With Cavatelli

Serves: 4

Lelia Marks

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

54

Spice

46

Sweetness

45

Sourness

39

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.4

Difficulty

Ingredients:

2 tsps

Fennel Seed

Directions:

1

For pork: Preheat oven to 375°

2

Enclose fennel seeds in resealable plastic bag; using mallet, coarsely crack seeds

3

(Alternatively, crack seeds in mortar with pestle

4

) Mix seeds, smoked paprika, brown sugar, crushed red pepper, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in small bowl to blend

5

Place pork on sheet of foil

6

Sprinkle spice mixture all over pork and roll pork on foil sheet, pressing firmly so spices will adhere

7

Heat oil in heavy large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat

8

Add pork to pot and sear until brown on all sides, 8 to 9 minutes

9

Add 3 cups broth and any seasoning mixture remaining on sheet of foil; bring to boil

10

Cover pot tightly and transfer to oven

11

Braise until pork is very tender, turning pork every 30 minutes, about 2 hours total

12

Remove pot from oven

13

Uncover pot and cool pork in pot 1 hour

14

Transfer pork to cutting board

15

Cut pork into 1/2- to 3/4-inch cubes

16

Spoon off fat from top of sauce in pot

17

Return pork cubes to sauce in pot

18

DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead

19

Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled

20

Rewarm pork and sauce over medium heat until heated through before using

21

Preheat oven to 375°

22

Enclose fennel seeds in resealable plastic bag; using mallet, coarsely crack seeds

23

(Alternatively, crack seeds in mortar with pestle

24

) Mix seeds, smoked paprika, brown sugar, crushed red pepper, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in small bowl to blend

25

Place pork on sheet of foil

26

Sprinkle spice mixture all over pork and roll pork on foil sheet, pressing firmly so spices will adhere

27

Heat oil in heavy large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat

28

Add pork to pot and sear until brown on all sides, 8 to 9 minutes

29

Add 3 cups broth and any seasoning mixture remaining on sheet of foil; bring to boil

30

Cover pot tightly and transfer to oven

31

Braise until pork is very tender, turning pork every 30 minutes, about 2 hours total

32

Remove pot from oven

33

Uncover pot and cool pork in pot 1 hour

34

Transfer pork to cutting board

35

Cut pork into 1/2- to 3/4-inch cubes

36

Spoon off fat from top of sauce in pot

37

Return pork cubes to sauce in pot

38

DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead

39

Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled

40

Rewarm pork and sauce over medium heat until heated through before using

41

For pasta: Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally

42

Drain pasta

43

Set aside

44

Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat

45

Add garlic to skillet; stir 30 seconds

46

Add tomatoes and arugula and toss until arugula wilts, 2 to 3 minutes

47

Add drained pasta to tomato mixture in skillet and toss 1 minute to blend

48

Add 1 cup crumbled goat cheese to skillet and toss just until cheese softens slightly but does not melt, about 1 minute

49

Season pasta to taste with salt and black pepper

50

Transfer pasta to large bowl

51

Spoon pork and sauce over

52

Scatter remaining 1/4 cup goat cheese over and serve

53

Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally

54

Drain pasta

55

Set aside

56

Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat

57

Add garlic to skillet; stir 30 seconds

58

Add tomatoes and arugula and toss until arugula wilts, 2 to 3 minutes

59

Add drained pasta to tomato mixture in skillet and toss 1 minute to blend

60

Add 1 cup crumbled goat cheese to skillet and toss just until cheese softens slightly but does not melt, about 1 minute

61

Season pasta to taste with salt and black pepper

62

Transfer pasta to large bowl

63

Spoon pork and sauce over

64

Scatter remaining 1/4 cup goat cheese over and serve