Bon Vivant Market-Smithfield & Suffolk

Pork Backbone Stew

A Southern-style stew to warm you on a cool day.

Seasoning Mix

2 and 1/2 tablespoons salt
1 and 1/2 teaspoons cayenne
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

About 6 lbs pork backbones

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups pork lard or vegetable oil
2 cups finely chopped onions
2 cups finely chopped green bell peppers
1 and 1/1 cups finely chopped celery

1 teaspoon white peppere
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon black pepper

8 cups pork or chicken stock

3 cups hot cooked rice (optional)


Thourghly combine ingredients for seasoning mix in small bowl

Sprinkle meat generously on both sides with some of mixture, rub into meat with hands

Combine remaining mix and flour

Dredge meat in flour mixture, shake off excess
Reserve 1/2 cup flour mixture for roux

Combine onions, bell peppers, clelrey, and peppers, set aside

Heat lard/oil in large skillet over medium-high until oil is 350

Brown meat well on both sides, drain on paper towels

Pour off all but 1/2 cup fat from skillet, leaving the sediment 

Turn heat to high, heat fat until it begins to smoke

Slowly whisk in flour mixture, cook whisking constantly until roux is dark red-brown to black color, about 4 minutes 

Immeadiately add the veggie mixture, stir well until the veggies have noticably brightened in color, 2 - 3 minutes

Remove from heat

Heat the stock in a large soupp pot to a rolling boil.  Add meat and cook until tender. 

Then add roux mixture by spoonfulls, stirring until well blnded between each addition.

Adjust heat to maintain a slow simmer

Simmer until meat is falling off the bones, about an hour, stirring occasionally

If stew gets too thick add  more stock or water

Serveas is or over cooked rice