Thoroughly wash the pork knuckle under cold running water, then dry it with paper towels. The skin must be completely dry. Using a very sharp knife, score the skin in a crisscross pattern, making cuts every 2-3 cm. Be careful to only cut the skin and the layer of fat, without reaching the meat. In a small bowl, mix salt, cumin, and marjoram. Rub the spice mixture thoroughly over the entire surface of the pork knuckle, trying to massage it into the scored cuts as well.
Description
Pork knuckle roasted in beer is the quintessence of Czech cuisine – a hearty, aromatic, and incredibly satisfying dish. It is a whole roasted pork knuckle that is first marinated in spices, then slowly cooked until tender, and finally roasted in dark beer until its skin becomes perfectly crispy and covered with a shiny, malty-caramel glaze. The flavor is deep and complex: the sweetness of honey balances the bitterness of the beer, while herbal notes of caraway and marjoram permeate the tender, falling-apart meat. Visually, the dish is very impressive, most often served whole on a wooden board, making it perfect for feasts and gatherings with larger groups. Traditionally, it is served with sharp horseradish, mustard, pickled cucumbers, and fresh bread, which is perfect for dipping in the thick, beer sauce that forms during roasting.
Składniki (15)
- Pork hind shank 1 szt.
- Dark beer (e.g. Kozel Černý, Bernard Černý Lager) 1000 ml
- Onion 2 szt.
- Garlic 10 ząbków
- Carrot 2.5 szt.
- Parsley root 1.9 szt.
- Hot mustard (e.g. Dijon) 2 łyżki
- wildflower honey 45 g
- 🌿 Przyprawy
- Sól gruboziarnista 6 łyżeczek
- Whole caraway seeds 1.2 łyżeczka
- Dried marjoram 1 łyżeczka
- Bay leaf 3.3 szt.
- Allspice 2 g
- Pieprz czarny w ziarnach 2 g
- ✨ Opcjonalne
- Fresh rosemary 10 g
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Preparation steps
Preparation and marinating of the pork knuckle
Peel all the garlic cloves and press them through a garlic press or chop them very finely. Spread the garlic over the entire surface of the pork knuckle. Then, using a kitchen brush or your hands, coat the entire knuckle with a layer of hot mustard. Transfer the knuckle to a large dish (glass or ceramic), cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours, preferably for a full day (24 hours). Longer marinating will make the meat more aromatic and tender.
Pre-cooking (parboiling)
Remove the marinated pork knuckle from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking to reach room temperature. In the meantime, peel the onions, carrots, and parsley, then cut them into large pieces (into 3-4 parts). Place the pork knuckle in a large, deep pot. Add the chopped vegetables, bay leaves, allspice, and peppercorns. Pour in cold water so that the pork knuckle is completely covered (about 3-4 liters of water).
Place a pot over high heat and bring the water to a boil. When the water starts to boil, foam (known as scum) may appear on the surface. Carefully skim it off with a slotted spoon. Then reduce the heat to the minimum, so that the water is just gently 'bubbling'. Cover the pot with a lid, leaving a small gap, and cook the pork knuckle for 1.5 hours. After this time, the meat should be partially cooked but still firm.
Baking in Beer
Preheat the oven to 180°C (top and bottom heat). Carefully remove the cooked pork knuckle from the broth using tongs or two forks and transfer it to a deep baking dish or roasting pan. Strain 500 ml of the broth in which the pork knuckle was cooked and pour it into the bottom of the dish. Then pour in the entire dark beer. Additionally, if using, you can add a sprig of fresh rosemary.
Cover the baking dish with a lid or tightly wrap it in two layers of aluminum foil. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 2 hours. Every 30 minutes, carefully remove the dish from the oven, take off the lid/foil, and baste the pork knuckle with the beer sauce from the bottom of the dish. This process is crucial for achieving juicy meat and building flavor on the crust.
Final browning of the skin
After 2 hours of baking covered, remove the dish from the oven. Take off the lid/foil. In a small bowl, mix the honey with 3-4 tablespoons of the hot roasting sauce until the honey is completely dissolved and a smooth glaze forms. Using a brush, coat the entire surface of the skin of the pork knuckle with the prepared honey glaze.
Increase the oven temperature to 220°C and turn on the grill or top heat convection function. Place the dish with the pork knuckle back in the oven (without covering) and bake for another 15-20 minutes. During this time, the skin should become dark brown, shiny, and full of crispy bubbles. Watch it very closely to avoid burning the honey glaze.
Remove the roasted pork knuckle from the oven and carefully transfer it to a large cutting board or plate. Let it 'rest' for 10-15 minutes before serving. The sauce left in the roasting pan can be strained through a sieve into a gravy boat to remove any remnants and served alongside the meat. Serve the pork knuckle whole, accompanied by horseradish, mustard, and fresh bread.
Fun Fact
In the Czech Republic, 'vepřové koleno' is considered one of the most 'beer-friendly' dishes. Many inns and breweries have their secret recipes for preparing it, and debates about which beer is best for roasting the knuckle are a common topic of conversation over a pint.
Best for
Tips
Serve the pork knuckle whole on a large wooden board, which makes a huge impression on guests. Next to it, place small bowls with spicy mustard, freshly grated horseradish, and a jar of pickled cucumbers or marinated peppers. Be sure to serve fresh, country sourdough bread for dipping in the sauce. Of course, the best drink will be chilled Czech dark beer, the same one used for roasting.
Leftover meat can be easily separated from the bones and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The meat is delicious cold, on sandwiches with mustard and horseradish. It can also be reheated in a pan with a bit of sauce or broth, but the skin will not be as crispy after reheating as it was right after roasting.
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