Step out of your comfort zone and try these herb and foie gras stuffed pig’s feet.
ingredients
For the Stuffed Feet
For the Breading
For the Vinaigrette
For the Sauce
For the Foie Gras and Presenta
directions
Using a knife, detach the skin of the pigs’ feet from the shank of the joint without tearing it. Cut the shank bone at the joint. Set aside the skin and the hoof to make a pocket for the stuffing.
Bone the shank. Cut the meat into 2 cm (1 in) cubes.
In a skillet, lightly brown the cubes of meat in the lard. Season and set the meat aside. In the same pan, brown and season the the mushrooms. Add the onion, garlic and rosemary. Cook for 2 minutes then mix all ingredients together. Set aside to cool.
Fill the reserved pigs’ feet skin with the stuffing. Using a trussing needle and butcher’s string, sew the skin firmly shut. Then wrap the pigs’ feet completely with the boxing bandage and seal them in a sous-vide cooking bag containing 200 ml (¾ cup) of pork stock.
In a large heavy pot, bring to a boil enough water to cover the feet completely. Cook the feet in the bag for 8 hours in 80°C (175°F) water. Remove the feet from the water and refrigerate for at least 12 hours. Reserve the stock in the bag.
Mix the eggs and the mustard in a bowl. In another bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley and salt.
Remove the bandage from the pigs’ feet. Brush the feet with the egg and mustard mixture. Then coat them with the breadcrumb mixture. Set aside.
Put the stuffed feet and 100 g (3 ½ oz) of butter into a skillet. Cook them in the oven for approximately 20 minutes at 200°C (400°F), sprinkling them several times with melted butter. The centre of the stuffing must be hot.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the mustard, vinegar and a pinch of salt.
Gradually whisk in the oil, stirring constantly to create an emulsion.
While the feet are cooking, brown the onion and mushrooms in a little butter in a skillet to colour them slightly. Add the tomatoes, green onions and rosemary. Season to taste. Then add the stock and allow it to reduce by one half.
Remove from heat and whisk the vinaigrette into the stock. Add the parsley, correct the seasoning, and keep warm.
Preheat the oven to 230°C (450°F). In a very hot pan, sear the slices of foie gras until golden brown. Transfer them to a cooking tray and finish cooking in the oven for 4 to 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, place the stuffed feet onto warm plates. Remove the string holding in the stuffing and coat the feet with butter from the pan. Pour the sauce around the stuffed feet. Place the foie gras slices on the stuffed pigs’ feet.