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1
Rub entire surface of pork shoulder evenly with the fennel, kosher salt & pepper.
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2
Arrange half of the thyme sprigs on the bottom of a glass baking dish and place the pork over the thyme, pressing it into the thyme.
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3
Press remaining thyme on top of the pork.
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4
Cover with plastic wrap & refrigerate for at least six hours or overnight.
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5
(up to 24 hours) When ready to prepare the pork, put the porcini in a swall bowl and cover with the hot water & let sit for about half hour or until soft & pliable.
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6
Heat a dutch oven or a heavy bottom skillet over medium-high heat.
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7
Add the butter & let it melt (careful not to burn the butter!)
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8
Remove the pork from the baking dish, discard the thyme & add the pork to the pan & brown all sides of pork (about 3-4minutes per side) turning as needed until evenly browned.
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9
Transfer the pork to a plate.
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10
After transferring pork to plate decrease heat to medium & add the pancetta or guanciale (whichever you're using) & cook, stirring till browned (about 4-5 minutes) then add the diced onions, carrots & garlic and cook, stirring often till onions begin to brown (about 5 minutes) next, stir in wine & increase heat to high & cook until reduced by half (about 10-12minutes) then stir in tomatoes & tomato paste & cook for 5 minutes.
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11
Drain the porcini BUT RESERVE THE LIQUID!
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12
Strain the liquid through a cheesecloth lined sieve into the sauce.
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13
Chop the porcini & add to the sauce.
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14
Stir in the stock, add the oregano, thyme, sage, crushed red pepper & bay leaf.
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15
Return the pork to the pan & bring to a boil.
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16
Decrease the heat to low & cook uncovered 3-4 hours or untill the pork is tender enough to be broken apart with a fork.
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17
Turn off heat & let cool in pan for about 30 minutes.
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18
Skim away any fat on the surface of the sugo & discard along with the bay leaf.
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19
Serve over pasta or creamy polenta.
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20
Hope u enjoy this dish!!
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21
~Gorda Ramsey