I’ve been posting about various aspects of the emotional stress that pandemic privations can deal us, especially at times like this when we’ve had a global setback in our war with the novel coronavirus. But I’ve come to a conclusion that a spoonful of Sugar can, indeed, help the medicine go down…
Pulled Pork, slow cooked for 4 hours on the smoker, then finished under a
tight-fitting lid in the Instant Pot / Slow Cooker for another 3-4 hours.
Not real Sugar, mind you, but something that can do for each of us what Mary Poppins’ Spoonful did for the Banks kids in the 1964 Disney family movie hit. And it’s something different for every individual. But for all of us… It’s something you don’t get often. Something you associate, perhaps, with happier times. Something you can’t just go out and buy at the supermarket, or even the Deli. Something you have to wait for with childlike anticipation. Something you can grab a handful of when you need a shot of tonic.
I’m convinced that making a special effort to inject a little of my kind of Sugar into my diet would go a long way to making my lock down lifestyle a lot more livable.
A practical demonstration…
I’ve thought a lot about this; what my particular brand of Sugar is. And after considering many possibilities, I keep coming back to one thing: Pulled Pork Shoulder. On a lightly toasted Brioche Bun with nothing but a little of its own Juice and, maybe, a Sweet Cucumber Pickle, quartered, on the side. (You have to at least homage to Veggies, right?).
What do I love so much about it? The unique flavour, the juiciness, the incomparable creamy tenderness, the umami hit – not to much, not too little. When I have a mouthful of that, I don’t need anything else to make me happy.
But it goes further than that…
The things I love so much about Pulled Pork Shoulder, that I adore more than mere words can truly express, I also treasure in freshly roasted Turkey Dark Meat; Thighs at first choice, followed by Legs and associated lower carcass tidbits. Juicy and pull-apart tender, with an indescribable rich, earthy umaminess that cries out for me to eat more. It’s the same complex flavour structure that makes Turkey Stuffing and Gravy such treats.
And – this may surprise you at first – I also love freshly-roasted Leg of Ham, again for the same reasons: The rich, tender, juicy consistency. The flavour, a blend of the Meat’s own roasted essence plus some Cloves and Nutmeg, a little Citrus tang and some Caramelized Sugar for contrast and balance.
But the Pork Shoulder is, without a doubt, my first choice; the One Thing I dream about after yet another lock down Pasta dinner, no matter how innovative, delicious or exotic the ingredients are.
The scarcity factor…
But, as I said in my preamble, I can’t just go to the supermarket and buy any of those things. Well, you can, but it’s not the same. ‘Deli’ versions of these delicacies are quite different than their ‘fresh’ counterparts. If you want such incomparable treats, you have to roast the Meat yourself, long and low and covered to keep all the goodness in. And then you have to get rid of the excess Fat while preserving as much of the Juice as you can.
But after that, you can just reach to into the fridge, tease up a corner of the foil tent covering the resting plate or casserole, and pick to your heart’s content. As little as or much as it takes to cheer you up in whatever low moment you’re experiencing. The scarcity factor makes your cheer-up treat all the more special.
The secret is in the savouring…
So indulge in a little mind experiment and nail down what your Spoonful of Sugar is. Then do what it takes to get a big pan or bowl of it into the bottom of your fridge.
Dedicate a full day to the culinary worship of whatever your Spoonful of Sugar may be. If it’s something like mine, Marinate a Ham or Pork Shoulder, or some Turkey Thighs, and roast them at 300 F for at least 4 hours (for the Turkey); 6 to 8 for Ham or Pork. Savour the time it takes to prepare and cook, which will give you the time to reflect and appreciate just how precious and rare your personal tonic is…
~ Maggie J.