Easy Pork Curry Recipe

Servings: 4
Prep time: 25 minutes
Total time: 3 hours

for the braised pork:
1 (5-pound|2268 gram) boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 ½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
8 cups|1893 ml dashi, chicken stock, or a combination

for the vegetables:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large russet potato or Japanese sweet potato, cut into large chunks
1 onion, cut into large chunks

for the meat and curry:
½ recipe Braised Pork, with the braising liquid, thawed if frozen
1 (6 ½-ounce|184-gram) box Japanese curry blocks
½ cup|120 ml whole milk (optional)
2 tablespoons honey (optional)

for serving:
steamed rice
Fukujin pickles or pickled sushi ginger

1. Braise the pork: Heat the oven to 350°F. Season the pork with salt and pepper. Heat a dutch oven or other large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, then coat with the vegetable oil. Working in batches, sear the pork pieces on all sides. Don't crowd the pot, or you'll end up steaming rather than searing the meat. All told, you should spend a good 15 minutes or so making sure all of the meat gets some good color, removing the pieces to a bowl or plate as they brown. Once all the meat is browned, pour off the fat and return the meat to the pot. Add the dashi, chicken stock, or water and bring to a simmer, then cover the pot and slide it in the oven. Cook for about 2 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender.
2. Reserve one third of the meat and broth for your first batch of curry. Let the rest of the pork and broth cool to room temperature before portioning it into two plastic containers and freezing it for future curry dinners.
3. Cook the vegetables: Heat a dutch oven or other large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, then coat with the vegetable oil. Add the carrots and potato and cook for 4 minutes, stirring regularly. Add the onion and cook for 2 more minutes to remove some of the rawness.
4. Make the curry: Use a slotted spoon to scoop the pork chunks into the pot. Now measure how much braising liquid you have and add enough water to total 5 cups of liquid, then add to the pot. Bring to a simmer, lower the heat to medium, and cook until the carrots and potato are nearly tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
5. Break up the curry blocks and stir them into the pot. (It'll take some diligence to make sure they're completely dissolved.) If you like your curry a little richer/sweeter, stir in the milk and honey. Simmer for 5 minutes, then serve over steamed rice with little piles of pickles on the side.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This recipe was reprinted by permission of the author from The Gaijin Cookbook: Japanese Recipes from a Chef, Father, Eater, and Lifelong Outsider.

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