Sometimes dubbed as “the other white meat,” pork comes from the meat of pigs, hogs or domestic swine which are farm-raised. In many cultures, it’s considered as a prime food source along with beef.

1. Pork Recipes
Sometimes dubbed as “the other
white meat,” pork comes from
the meat of pigs, hogs or
domestic swine which are farm-
raised. In many cultures, it’s
considered as a prime food
source along with beef. It is also
the center of many celebrations,
especially the whole pig which is
roasted on an open pit, its skin
crackling and turning burnished brown.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), young hogs
at around 6 to 7 months produce the pork we get from the butcher or the
supermarket meat section. When buying from the supermarket or local butcher,
look for pork meat that has a firm, grayish pink color and a relatively small
amount of fat. It’s cut into various kinds of slices while the rest of it are cured
and made into leg of ham and bacon. Fresh pork produces the following prime
cuts: shoulder, loin, side and leg. Each cut further produces meat cuts that are
then used in various pork recipes.
The USDA recommends cooking pork at an internal temperature of 145°F with a
rest time of three minutes. The rest time indicates “the amount of time the
product remains at the final temperature, after it has been removed from a grill,
oven, or other heat source.” As in other kinds of meat, avoid overcooking pork in
your recipes as it toughens up. The best ways to cook and prepare pork meat is
through roasting, grilling, frying, curing into hams and bacons, and sausage
making.
The hocks, snout, internal organs and other non-prime parts of the pork are also
used in cooking. This is especially true in the traditional foods of other countries.
In the United States, these kinds of pork meats have recently gained popularity
in the restaurant scene where chefs fashion various creative dishes out of it.
In the categories below, you will find various pork recipes that make use of the
different cuts of meat. Fry the pork chops and serve with vegetables on the side.
The pork tenderloin can be breaded or broiled, the better to enjoy this tender
cut. Pork loin and pork roast may be roasted and glazed with
various sauces and spices. The delicious pork belly amy be made
into porchetta or slowly braised to render it tender and infused
with sauces. For a hearty and satisfying meal on its own, make a
pulled pork sandwich from a slow cooker.