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Rillettes de Porc

Ready in 4 hrs 15 mins

Recipe by Graham 

Rillettes de Porc (pronounced "ree-et-der-por") is very French and very tasty! If you're on a strict diet, maybe choose something different since Rillettes contain a lot of grease, but for a special treat Rillettes de Porc is unusual and despite the long cooking time, pretty much looks after itself.

It's not a paté but you could think of it as one if it helps you envisage it and how you will use it. In fact, in France, you can also buy Rillettes de Canard (duck) and Rillettes de Lapin (rabbit), but if anybody simply says "Rillettes", it's assumed to be pork.

Preparation Time

15 Minutes

Cooking Time

4 Hours

Ingredients for Rillettes de Porc

If you are not familiar with any ingredients, please check our International Cooking Terms page.

Currently displaying quantities in US Imperial Measurements

To serve 8 - 10:

2 lb belly pork, boned and derinded
  salt and pepper
12 oz pork fat
2 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons chopped mixed herbs
2 tablespoons white wine

How to Cook Rillettes de Porc

  1. Rub the meat well with plenty of salt and leave to stand for 6 hours.
  2. Peel and crush (mince) the garlic then cut the meat and the fat into small cubes and sprinkle with the garlic, the herbs, wine and salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Mix everything well and pile into an ovenproof dish. Cover and cook in a preheated cool oven (Mk 1 - 275ºF - 140ºC) for 4 hours.
  3. Turn the meat into a sieve (strainer) to drain off the fat, which you should reserve for use in a moment. Shred the meat well, using two forks, then spoon it either into individual ramekin dishes or into a larger ceramic dish from which people can help themselves. Pour over enough of the reserve fat to cover the meat with a thin layer about 1/8" (3mm) thick. Chill until set.
  4. Remove from the fridge ½ hour before serving. Serve with cornichons (small gherkins) and French bread.
GRAHAM'S HOT TIP:
If you think your guests may not have encountered rillettes before, you might want to warn them to scrape away the layer of white surface fat before they dig into the deep, luscious meat below.