Slow Roasted Herb and Spice Cured Pork Shoulder

Slow Roasted Herb and Spice Cured Pork Shoulder

Ingredients:
1 4-5 lb. boneless, skinless pork shoulder, not rolled or tied
2 Tbsp. coriander seeds
1 Tbsp. whole black peppercorns
12 whole cloves
1 Tbsp. sea salt
2 bay leaves, crumbled
2 Tbsp. fresh rosemary leaves, coarsely chopped
6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

With a sharp knife, score the pork fat in a cross-hatch pattern.
Combine the coriander seeds, peppercorns and cloves in a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle. Grind coarsely and combine with the salt, bay leaves, rosemary and garlic. Spread half the mixture in the bottom of a glass or non-corrodible pan and place the pork on top. Cover with the remaining mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat the oven to 250°F. Wash the pork and pat dry. Place fat side up in a baking pan and bake for 6 hours - that’s right, 6 hours. Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
The carb count is actually negligible because the spices are washed off.

Feta and Olive Meatballs

Ingredients:
1/2 cup chopped parsley
2 Tbsp. finely chopped onion
1 lb. ground lamb or beef
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup pitted green olives, coarsely chopped
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. Tabil spice mixture or 1 tsp. dried oregano

Combine all the ingredients with your hands and shape into 16 meatballs. Place the meatballs about 2-inches apart on a baking sheet and broil, about 3-inches away from the heat until browned on top. Turn over and broil on the other side.

You don’t really need any salt in this recipe as the feta and olives provide enough. You can also fry the meatballs in olive oil, but I think broiling is easier! Try the spice mixture. It tastes great in the meatballs.

Roasted Chicken with Prosciutto and Green Olives

Note: Serves 3-4. Total carb count 20

Ingredients:
1 free-range chicken, 3 1/2-4 lbs.
salt and pepper
1/4 lb. Prosciutto, in one piece, diced into 1/2-inch cubes
1/3 cup shallots, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup whole green olives, unpitted
1/2 cup white wine
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
With a sharp heavy knife, split the chicken down the backbone and open it up. Turn it breast side up and flatten with the palm of your hand. Cut a slit in the skin at the bottom of the breast and slip the “ankles” of the chicken through the slit. Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Transfer the chicken, breast side down, to a lightly oiled roasting pan. Bake for 45 minutes. While the chicken is baking, prepare and combine the prosciutto, shallots, garlic and olives.

Remove the chicken from the oven and transfer to a plate. Remove any accumulated fat from the roasting pan. Scatter the prosciutto mixture evenly in the roasting pan and add the white wine. Place the chicken skin side up into the pan. Bake for 45 minutes longer.
Remove the chicken from the pan. Either carve the chicken or cut it up into serving pieces. Pour the prosciutto mixture over the chicken and serve.