Brawn (Jellied Pork Leg)

Ingredients

• •2 2 1/2-kilograms leg of pork or veal with bones and skin (trotters can be included)
• •1 yellow onion with skin (for color), chopped
• •1 carrot, chopped
• •8 to 10 peppercorns
• •6 kernels allspice
• •1 bay leaf
• •Salt

Directions

1. 1Rinse the meat and place in a saucepan of cold water. Bring to the boil and boil fiercely for 1 to 2 minutes; pour away the water, rinse the meat and the pan, removing all scum.
2. 2Pour clean boiling water over the meat and simmer gently over a low heat without the lid until meat comes off the bones, approximately 3 to 4 hours. Do not let it boil too rapidly, or the brawn will be cloudy. Skim the fat as it rises to the surface, adding more boiling water if necessary.
3. 3Add the carrot and onion after an hour or two, the spices and 2 to 3 teaspoons of salt for the last 10 minutes. Remove the meat, cool, and cut into small pieces. Strain the broth, place the meat and broth in the pot, and add a substantial amount of salt because cooling reduces the taste. Bring to boil once, leave to cool for a few minutes, then place it in moulds or small bowls, previously rinsed with cold water. Cover the set brawn with cling film or foil and leave in a cool place.
4. 4It should be eaten within 5 to 7 days. If there is not enough gluten in the meat, the brawn will not set. In that case add a few tablespoonfuls of gelatin powder to the cooled off brawn broth in a bowl and dissolve by placing the bowl in saucepan of hot water.
5. 5Do not freeze the brawn, this will damage the jelly. Brawn can be equally well served on a dinner table with hot potatoes, and in a cold buffet. In both cases, either mustard, mild vinegar or pickled-horseradish are used for seasoning.