Wild boar shoulder is browned, slow cooked in beer until tender, then served with smoky chimichurri rojo and Mexican cowboy beans. It is a good wild boar roast dinner when you want something hearty but not too heavy.
2 1/2cupsdried pinto beans(soaked 8 hours or overnight)
kosher salt and black pepper(to taste)
1/2cupchopped cilantro(packed)
7cupswater
FOR THE CHIMICHURRI ROJO
1tablespoonsmoked paprika
1tablespoondried oregano
1/2cupred wine vinegar
1/2cupextra virgin olive oil
1teaspoonground black pepper
1cupchopped onion
1tablespoonred pepper flakes
1head of garlic,minced
1/2cupcilantro, chopped
kosher salt to taste
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Instructions
FOR THE BOAR
Set your oven to broil. Rub the pork roast all over with the oil and season with salt and all of the seasonings except the thyme. Place the pork in the oven no further than 5 inches away. Broil the pork on all sides until the meat is nicely browned.
Lower your oven to 330 degrees.
Place the pork in the vessel that you are braising in. Add the onion, thyme and beer. Cover with aluminum foil or a heavy lid and braise for about 2.5 hours or until a fork and penetrate the meat with ease.
While the boar is cooking, start on your beans.
FOR THE BEANS
Drain and rinse the soaked beans and then set aside
Set the pot you are using to cook the beans over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook for 3 minutes or until some fat has rendered. Add the onions, garlic and jalapeno and cook for 8 minutes more, while stirring every minute or so.
Add the beans and 7 cups of water to the pot. You want the beans covered by around 2 inches of water. Bring the beans to a simmer over medium high heat. Lower the heat to achieve a subtle simmer, partially cover the pot with a lid and cook for about 2.5 to 3 hours or until tender. Once the beans are tender add the tomatoes, cilantro and then season to taste with salt and pepper. The beans can be make up to 3 days prior to serving.
FOR THE CHIMICHURRI ROJO
You can mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl with a whisk or fork, or you can pulse together in a food processor (do not puree the sauce). The sauce will keep in the refrigerator tightly covered for 1 week.
NOTES
Brown the roast first. Broil or sear it until the outside is well browned, then place it in the braising pot. That first color builds the flavor of the finished roast.
Braise until fork-tender. Add the onion, thyme, and beer, cover tightly, and cook at 330 F for about 2 1/2 hours, or until a fork slides in easily.
Soak the beans overnight. Start with soaked pinto beans so they cook evenly and finish tender in the pot.
Keep the beans at a low simmer. Once the bacon, onion, garlic, and jalapeno are cooked, add the beans and water, then cook partially covered for about 2 1/2 to 3 hours until tender. Add the tomatoes and cilantro only after the beans are cooked.
Mix the chimichurri last. Stir or pulse the sauce just enough to combine it. Do not puree it too smoothly.
Make parts ahead if needed. The beans keep well for up to 3 days, and the chimichurri keeps covered in the refrigerator for about 1 week.