Milk Braised Pork Shoulder with Semolina Gnocchi

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Place pork in large bowl. Mix 1 tablespoon coarse salt and cinnamon in small bowl. Sprinkle salt mixture over pork, tossing to coat evenly. Cover and chill overnight.

   Step 2

   Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook 2 minutes, whisking often (do not allow roux to brown). Remove from heat; cover and let stand until ready to use.

   Step 3

   Using on/off turns, blend onion, carrot, and celery in processor until finely chopped. Cook pancetta in large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat until beginning to brown and fat is rendered, about 6 minutes. Add vegetables to pot and sauté until beginning to brown, about 6 minutes. Add pork and sauté until brown, about 7 minutes. Add wine and bring to boil, stirring up browned bits. Add milk and bring to simmer. Add tomato puree, then whisk in roux. Simmer 5 minutes, whisking occasionally.

   Step 4

   Cover pot. Place in oven and braise pork until very tender, about 2 hours. Uncover; let pork cool briefly. Chill pork, uncovered, until cold, then cover and chill overnight.

   Step 5

   Rewarm pork over low heat, stirring often. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

   Step 6

   Place 1 gnocchi square in center of each plate. Top with pork and sauce.

2. Step 7

   • An Italian bacon cured in salt; available in the refrigerated deli case of many supermarkets and at Italian markets.