Are you ready to try something new and incredibly flavorful? Let me introduce you to Hog Head Cheese! This traditional Southern dish is a unique blend of savory flavors that you don’t want to miss out on. Here’s your step by step guide to making it at home.
First, gather your ingredients:
– 1 hog head
– 1 onion, chopped
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 2 bay leaves
– 1 teaspoon of black peppercorns
– salt to taste
– 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar
– 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard
– 1 tablespoon of horseradish (optional)
Once you have all your ingredients, it’s time to get started. Begin by cleaning your hog head thoroughly and removing any hair. Once that is done, chop the head into pieces and place them in a large pot. Add enough water to completely cover the head and place it on the stove over medium-high heat.
Add your chopped onion, minced garlic, bay leaves, black peppercorns, and salt to the pot. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot. Allow the hog head to cook for several hours until the meat falls off the bone.
Once the hog head is cooked, remove it from the pot and allow it to cool slightly. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding the solids. Save the broth for later use.
Using your fingers or a fork, remove any bones, skin, and cartilage from the hog head. Then, transfer the meat to a food processor and pulse until it is coarsely chopped.
Return the chopped meat to a large pot along with the reserved cooking broth. Add the red wine vinegar, yellow mustard, and horseradish (if using) to the pot and stir well. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook for about 30 minutes.
Finally, it’s time to pour the mixture into a mold and allow it to cool completely. Once the hog head cheese is fully set, unmold it and slice it into thin pieces.
Serve the hog head cheese as an appetizer, on a sandwich, or as a topping to crackers. Your friends and family will be impressed with the unique and flavorful dish that you’ve created.
So there you have it – a simple and delicious recipe for Hog Head Cheese that’s perfect for any occasion. Give it a try and let me know what you think. Happy cooking!