Main Dish

Zin-Braised Pork with Sun-Dried Cherry Quinoa and Karma Zin Reduction

Carol Shelton Wines

3354-B Coffey Lane
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
carolshelton.com

RECIPE YEAR: 2014
RECIPE BY: Greg Hallihan
PAIRS WELL WITH: Carol Shelton Karma Zin

Moist, tender pieces of braised pork shoulder are served over flavorful quinoa, enlivened with a concentrated drizzle of Karma Zin to complete the pairing.

Ingredients:

4 pounds pork shoulder
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 bottle (750 ml) Karma Zin
3 cups beef broth or stock
2 carrots, finely chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
3 celery stalks, finely chopped

Directions:

If cooking the pork in the oven, preheat the oven to 400°F.

Season the pork with salt and pepper. In a Dutch oven over high heat, sear the pork on all sides. Transfer to a plate. 

Deglaze the pot with the bottle of Zin (less one glass to make the cook happy!), stirring to scrape up the browned bits. Add the broth, carrots, onion and celery and return the pork to the pot. 

Cover the pot, transfer to the oven and cook for 3 1/2 hours. Alternatively, cover the pot, reduce the stovetop heat so the mixture simmers and cook for 2 1/2 hours.

Sun-Dried Cherry Quinoa

Ingredients:

4 cups quinoa, rinsed well
7 cups vegetable broth or stock
3 zucchini, very finely chopped
3 crookneck squash, very finely chopped
2 cups sun-dried cherries, chopped
2 cups pine nuts, almonds or walnuts, toasted and chopped (optional)

Directions:

In a large saucepan, cook the quinoa in the broth until fluffy and tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the zucchini, squash and cherries. Spread the quinoa out on a baking sheet to cool. Add the nuts just before serving.

KARMA ZIN REDUCTION

Ingredients:

1 cup honey
2 cups Karma Zin
Salt, to taste

Directions:

In a small saucepan, heat the honey and reduce to a dark amber stage, about 5 minutes. Add the Zin and reduce to a syrup-like consistency, until the sauce can coat a spoon. Adjust the seasoning with salt, if needed. Let cool.

To serve, using a small spoon or a squeeze bottle, drizzle the Karma Zin reduction over the pork and quinoa.