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Crubeens (pig' s trotters) and beetroot with salad leaves and salad cream (recipes)






Serves 4



Preparation time

overnight



Cooking time

over 2 hours

















Ingredients



For the brine900g/2lb sea salt450g/1lb light soft brown sugar1 tbsp saltpetre (optional; it isn' t essential, but it improves the colour of the meat)1 clove10 black peppercorns6 juniper berries4 garlic cloves, split in half1 bay leaf3 sprigs thymeFor the crubeens6 pig' s trotters, well cleaned and hairs removedbouquet garniselection of vegetables, cut into cubes (1 carrot, 2 celery sticks, 1 leek and 1 onion)1 small ham hock1 bottle (75cl) dry white wineolive oil2 shallots, finely choppedhandful chopped parsley2 tbsp English mustard100g/4oz fine fresh white breadcrumbs2 tsp English mustard powder75g/2¾oz plain flour2 large free-range eggs, beatencorn oil, for shallow-fryingFor the salad cream1 tsp English mustard1 tsp caster sugar2-3 tbsp white wine vinegar¼ tsp white pepper½ tsp salt150ml/¼ pint evaporated milk150ml/¼ pint organic rapeseed oilFor the beetroot relish4 small raw beetroots1 onion, finely slicedolive oilsalt and freshly ground black pepper2 tbsp red wine vinegar50ml/2fl oz red wine1 tbsp freshly grated horseradishsugar, to tasteFor the roasted beetroot4 small raw beetroot2 sprigs thyme1 garlic clove, unpeeled, crushed with the flat edge of a knifeTo serveorganic salad leaves and herbs in season, such as frisée, flat-leaf parsley, wood sorrel, pea shoots and dandelionolive oilsalt and freshly ground black pepper



Method



1. Put all the ingredients for the brine in a large saucepan with 3 litres/5¼ pints cold water. Bring to the boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved and skimming off the foam that rises to the surface. Simmer for 10 minutes, then remove from the heat and leave to cool.2. Put the trotters in a large bowl and pour over the cold brine. Cover the trotters with a plate to keep them submerged, then cover the bowl and leave in the fridge for 24 hours.3. Drain the trotters and put them in a large saucepan or stockpot. Cover with cold water, add the bouquet garni and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for three hours. 4. Preheat the oven to 160C/320F/Gas 3.5. Make a bed of the cubed vegetables on the base of a heavy casserole. Set the ham hock on top and pour over the white wine. Cover the pan with cling film, then tie a sheet of foil tightly over the top with string and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Braise in the oven for 3½ hours.6. Leave both trotters and ham hock to cool in their pans, then remove. Using a very sharp knife, score through the skin and split the trotters in half lengthways. Carefully take out the meat, discarding the bones and gristle but keeping the fat with the meat. Reserve the skins. Shred the trotter meat, and the meat from the ham hock.7. Heat a splash of olive oil in a heavy frying pan and sweat the shallots, stirring frequently, over a low to medium heat for 8-9 minutes or until softened but not coloured. Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley, then mix with the shredded meats and fat, and the mustard. Season lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Divide the mixture into three portions.8. Lay two large (catering-size) sheets of cling film on top of each other on a board and smooth out any wrinkles. Place the trotter skins on the cling film, opening them out and laying them flat. Arrange them close to each other in pairs so you have three rows that make a ' blanket' of skins. Put the meat mixture in the middle of the skins and form into a long sausage, then roll up the sausage so that it is completely encased in the skins. Now roll the sausage in the cling film and twist the ends to seal. Chill overnight. 9. The next day, make the salad cream. For the salad cream, whisk the mustard, sugar and vinegar with the white pepper and salt. Add the evaporated milk and continue to whisk. Gradually whisk in the rapeseed oil to make a cream consistency. Check the seasoning and add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Keep cool.10. For the beetroot relish, peel and grate the raw beetroot, sprinkle with salt and leave to stand for 30 minutes. Rinse off the salt. Sweat the onion in a splash of hot olive oil with some salt and freshly ground black pepper until softened but not coloured. Add the wine vinegar, wine and grated beetroot, and stir. Cover and cook until reduced. Uncover and fold in the horseradish with sugar, salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Set aside.11. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.12. For the roasted beetroot, place the whole raw beetroot on a large sheet of oiled foil, add the thyme and garlic, and sprinkle with olive oil, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Close the foil to make a parcel and place on a baking tray. Roast for 30-35 minutes, or until the beetroot is tender. Cool, then peel and halve (you may wish to wear gloves while you peel the beetroot to protect your hands from staining).13. For the crubeens, remove the cling film from the sausages and cut it in half lengthways. Place each half cut-side down on a board and cut in half lengthways again. Now cut each quarter crossways into five 3-4cm/1¼-1½in nuggets or crubeens. Mix the breadcrumbs and mustard powder together on a plate. Coat the crubeens in the flour, then in the beaten eggs and finally in the crumbs. Shallow-fry in hot corn oil for 2-3 minutes or until crisp and golden brown. Drain well. 14. To serve, put five crubeens and two beetroot halves on each plate with a spoonful of beetroot relish. Lightly dress the salad leaves with olive oil and salt and freshly ground black pepper, then put a pile of leaves on each plate. Serve the salad cream in a bowl.