Southern Pork Souse is a traditional dish that has been enjoyed by generations of Southerners. This unique dish is made from a combination of pig’s feet, ears, and tongues, simmered in a flavorful broth until tender.
Once the meat is cooked, it is shredded and combined with a variety of spices and seasonings to create a delicious and savory spread. While it may seem intimidating to make at first, with a little patience and some basic cooking skills, you can easily recreate this classic Southern dish in your own kitchen.
In this article, we will guide you through the steps to make your own Southern Pork Souse that will impress your family and friends at your next gathering. So, let’s get started!
How To Make Southern Pork Souse?
To make Southern Pork Souse, you will need a large stockpot to simmer the pig’s feet, ears, and tongues until they are tender. Once the meat is cooked, it is important to remove it from the pot and set it aside to cool.
While the meat is cooling, strain the broth and measure out 8 cups into another pot. Return the broth to the stove and let it simmer while you prepare the meat.
Peel the skin from the ears, leaving them as intact as possible. Remove any gristle and fat from the pig’s feet and combine them with the ear trimmings. Cut off a large portion of the tongue and set it aside. Trim any loose meat from the remainder of the tongue and combine it with the other trimmings.
Put all of the trimmings through a coarse meat grinder and stir them into the simmering broth. Continue to simmer until everything is well combined.
Next, slice the tongues into thin strips and place them lengthwise into two glass loaf pans. Slice the ears into thin strips and cut them into 1/2 inch pieces. Arrange the ear pieces among the tongue strips. Divide pimiento and pepperoncini between the two molds and sprinkle with pickle relish.
Dissolve gelatin in 1 cup of water and stir it into the simmering broth. Carefully ladle enough broth into each mold to completely cover the meat. Prod with a fork to uniformly distribute. Let stand for 15 minutes, then cover with remaining broth. Allow to cool at room temperature until they begin to jell, which should take about 2 to 3 hours. Refrigerate for 8 to 10 hours.
When cool, run a thin knife around the sides of each mold to release the souse. Remove any fat that has accumulated on the surface before serving.
Preparing The Meat
Before cooking the meat for Southern Pork Souse, it is important to properly prepare it. Start by cleaning the pig’s feet, ears, and tongues thoroughly with hot, soapy water. Rinse them well and pat them dry.
To ensure that the meat cooks evenly and retains its moisture, let it rest or stand outside the fridge for at least two hours prior to cooking. This will make it easier for the heat to penetrate evenly throughout the entire piece of meat. The meat should be brought to room temperature before you start cooking.
When you are ready to cook the meat, place it in a large stockpot and cover it with water. Simmer the meat until it is tender and well-done. Care should be taken not to let the temperature of the liquid exceed 195°F, because boiling (212°F) toughens meat protein.
Once the meat is cooked, remove it from the pot and set it aside to cool. While the meat is cooling, strain the broth and measure out 8 cups into another pot. Return the broth to the stove and let it simmer while you prepare the meat.
Peel the skin from the ears, leaving them as intact as possible. Remove any gristle and fat from the pig’s feet and combine them with the ear trimmings. Cut off a large portion of the tongue and set it aside. Trim any loose meat from the remainder of the tongue and combine it with the other trimmings.
Put all of the trimmings through a coarse meat grinder and stir them into the simmering broth. Continue to simmer until everything is well combined.
By properly preparing your meat for Southern Pork Souse, you can ensure that it will be tender, flavorful, and safe to eat.
Combining The Meat And Broth
Once the meat has cooled, it’s time to combine it with the broth. To do this, use a fine-mesh strainer to remove any solids from the broth and measure out 8 cups of the liquid into a separate pot. Return the pot to the stove and let it simmer while you prepare the meat.
Begin by mincing the meat finely, picking out any small bones or excess fat. Then, add the minced meat to the simmering broth along with salt, pepper, peppercorns, sage, cloves, bay leaves, pickling spice, garlic powder, and vinegar. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
Continue to simmer the mixture until it has thickened slightly and the flavors have melded together. The goal is to reduce the liquid until there is just enough to cover the meat. Once you have reached this point, pour the mixture into molds and chill until jelly forms and it is firm enough to slice.
By following these steps, you can create a delicious and authentic Southern Pork Souse that will impress your friends and family. Enjoy!
Adding Spices And Seasonings
To add flavor to your Southern Pork Souse, you can use a variety of spices and seasonings. A classic combination is to add chopped garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and black peppercorns to the simmering broth. You can also add sliced onions and celery for extra flavor.
Another popular seasoning is vinegar, which is added to the broth after the meat has been removed. This gives the souse a tangy flavor and helps to preserve it. You can use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, depending on your preference.
For a spicy kick, add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the broth. You can also add hot sauce or chopped jalapenos for extra heat.
To balance out the flavors, you can add some sugar or honey to the broth. This will give the souse a slightly sweet taste that complements the savory pork.
Finally, don’t forget to season the meat itself before grinding it into the broth. You can use salt, black pepper, and any other seasonings you like to give the souse a well-rounded flavor.
Experiment with different combinations of spices and seasonings until you find the perfect balance for your Southern Pork Souse. With a little bit of creativity, you can make a delicious and unique dish that will impress your friends and family.
