Pork Stew with Green Beans

Serve with Kendall-Jackson Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon

The Buffet Casserole is a great choice for this hearty pork stew. You have the option of cooking on the rangetop or in the oven and most assuredly you can serve from it at an informal dinner. As its name implies, it’s ideal for buffets – and so is this recipe. Second helpings stay warmer, too!

You can also vary the meat choice. Try substituting (as the Kendall-Jackson folks suggest) lamb shoulder for the pork. The cooking time remains about the same. Either way, this is a make-ahead winner. 6 servings

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lb. pork shoulder, visible fat removed, cut into 2-inch pieces
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
3 C. beef or chicken stock
1 (16 oz.) can chopped tomatos
1 lb. green beans, cut into 2" pieces
1 Tbsp. chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill or 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weedl
Pinch sugar

Preparation:
Dry the pork cubes with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in the Le Creuset 3 1/2-quart Buffet Casserole over medium-high heat. Add the pork in two batches (so you don't crowd the pan and the meat browns instead of steams) and brown the pieces on all sides, using tongs to turn the meat. This will take from 6 to 10 minutes minutes. Transfer each batch of browned meat to a plate.

Add the onion and celery to the skillet and cook over medium-high heat until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in the stock and tomatos with their liquid. Scrape the bottom and sides to loosen any browned bits. Add the pork and any juices that have collected on the plate.

Return briefly to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. You can choose to continue to cook the stew on the rangetop until the meat is tender, or move the covered casserole to a 325-degree (or a temperature that will just maintain a simmer in your oven.) In either case this will take about 2 hours.

Back on the rangetop (over low heqt) stir in the green beans, parsley, dill, and sugar. Cook until the green beans are just tender, about 15 minutes (check after 10 minutes). Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.