the gift of pastured pork

A meal promised as a gift from Christmas 2012. Prepared over the course of a couple days, served January 22, 2013:


local pastured pork shoulder, almost five pounds


brined overnight and slow cooked a day in advance, per this recipe from momofuku


setting up on the night of the meal


risotto in the works


cheesy appetizer


butternut squash for the risotto


brussels sprouts ready to roast while the pork glazes with brown sugar and a few gobs of it's own lard


shredded pork shoulder with roasted brussels sprouts and butternut squash risotto, and a dash of fig-balsamic vinegar