Warm up as the cold nights set in with this glorious hotpot, with slow-cooked pork cooked in cider and sage. It’s topped with a crispy layer of potatoes
Prep:40 mins
Serves 6
4 tbsp olive oil, plus a little extra1kg diced pork shoulder20g butter, cubed, plus a little extra4 leeks, trimmed and thickly sliced4 garlic cloves, crushed3 tbsp plain flour500ml dry cider400ml chicken stock2 bay leaves½ small bunch parsley, finely choppedsmall bunch sage, leaves picked, 5 left whole, the rest chopped200ml single cream400g Maris Piper or King Edward potatoes400g sweet potatoes
STEP 1Heat half of the oil in a deep ovenproof frying pan, or flameproof casserole dish, and fry the pork pieces over a medium high heat in batches until seared all over, then transfer to a plate. Add another 1 tbsp oil to the pan, if you need to, while you’re cooking the batches. Once all the pork is seared, transfer to a plate and set aside.STEP 2Add another 1 tbsp oil to the pan with a little butter and fry half the leeks with a pinch of salt for 10 mins until tender. Add the garlic, fry for a minute, then stir in the flour.STEP 3Pour in the cider, a little at a time, stirring to pick up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan and to combine everything. Add the stock, bay leaves and seared pork, then simmer, half-covered with a lid for 1-1½ hrs until the meat is just tender (it will later cook to the point of falling apart in the oven). Can be prepared a day ahead.STEP 4Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Simmer uncovered for a few minutes to reduce the sauce, if you need to – it shouldn’t be too liquid or the potatoes will sink into the sauce. Stir in the parsley, chopped sage, remaining leeks, and the cream, then season well.STEP 5Peel both types of potatoes and cut into slices 2mm thick, by hand or using a mandoline. Alternate layers of potato and sweet potato in circles over the pie, or randomly, if you prefer. Dot the cubed butter over the top and bake for 1-1½ hrs until the potato is tender. Nestle in the whole sage leaves, brushed in a little oil, for the last 10 mins. Leave to rest for 10 mins before serving.
