Slow-Cooker Honey-Ginger Pork with Braised Kale

Though easy to assemble, this simple braise has a complex combination of sweet, salty, bitter and spicy flavors. If you like lots of greens, you can add a second bunch of kale, but you will need to stir it three or four times as it cooks. And if your slow cooker doesn’t have a flameproof insert, sear the pork in a fry pan on the stove top before transferring the pork to the insert. Serve over soba or other Asian noodles and top with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.

Slow-Cooker Honey-Ginger Pork with Braised Kale

Ingredients

• 4 to 4 1/2 lb. (2 to 2.25 kg) boneless pork shoulder, cut into 3 equal pieces
• Kosher salt
• 1/3 cup (3 fl. oz./80 ml) mirin or medium-dry white wine
• 1/4 cup (2 fl. oz./60 ml) tamari or low-sodium soy sauce
• 3 Tbs. honey, warmed
• 4 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 heaping Tbs. peeled and grated fresh ginger
• 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 jalapeño chile, sliced (optional)
• 2 Tbs. canola oil
• 1 large bunch kale, preferably Tuscan kale, ribs removed and leaves chopped

Directions

1. Season the pork pieces with salt. In a small bowl, stir together the mirin, soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, onion and the chile, if using.

2. Put the flameproof insert of a slow cooker on the stove top over medium-high heat, then add the oil and warm until hot. (Alternatively, if your slow-cooker insert isn’t flameproof, you can do this step in a large fry pan.) Working in batches if necessary to avoid crowding, add the pork pieces and sear them on the first side, without moving them, until well browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn the pieces and sear on the second side until well browned, 3 to 4 minutes longer.

3. Transfer the insert to the slow cooker (or transfer the contents of the fry pan to the slow cooker) and pour the mirin-soy mixture over the pork. Toss to coat the pork evenly with the mixture. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. About 1 hour before the pork is ready, stir in the kale. The pork should be very tender and the kale should be tender.

4. Transfer the pork to a cutting board. Break the pork into large chunks, discarding any large pieces of fat. Using a large spoon, skim off and discard any fat from the surface of the cooking liquid. Return the meat to the slow cooker and stir gently to combine.

5. Spoon the pork, kale and cooking liquid onto a platter or individual plates. Serve immediately. Serves 6 to 8.

Learn to make the most of your slow cooker with this and other inspiring recipes in our Quick Slow Cooking, by Kim Laidlaw.

Summary

Recipe Name

Slow-Cooker Honey-Ginger Pork with Braised Kale

Published On

2018-11-20

Preparation Time

20M

Cook Time

8H15M

Total Time

8H35M