From Scratch Season 1 Episode 2 Whole Hog
- December 31, 2015
- 44 min
From Scratch is a cooking series that follows the journey of Chef Christine as she sets out to start her own restaurant from scratch. In season 1 episode 2, titled Whole Hog, Christine and her team are on a mission to discover the best way to cook a whole hog in order to serve it at her pop-up dinner party.
Christine is joined by her mentor Chef Aaron Franklin, who is renowned for his expertise in cooking barbeque. He advises her on the best way to butcher the hog and explains the different cuts of meat that can be obtained from it. Christine is amazed by the amount of meat that can be obtained from just one hog and is determined to use every part of it in her dishes.
The team sets up a large smoker in the backyard and starts preparing the hog for cooking. They use a blend of spices and marinate the hog for several hours to infuse it with flavor. As the hog slowly cooks over several hours, Christine and her team continue to brainstorm ideas for their dishes.
Christine decides to use the shoulder and loin cuts to make pulled pork sliders, while the belly is smoked and used to make bacon. The ribs are marinated in a sweet and savory sauce and cooked until they're fall-off-the-bone tender. The team even manages to find a use for the hog's head, which is used to make a flavorful headcheese.
As the hog continues to cook, Christine is faced with a setback when she realizes that the smoker has malfunctioned and the temperature has dropped significantly. She quickly comes up with a solution and decides to finish the hog in the oven to ensure that it's fully cooked and delicious.
Finally, after hours of preparation and cooking, the hog is ready to be served at the pop-up dinner party. Christine and her team present an array of dishes that showcase the versatility of the hog, from crispy bacon to tender pulled pork and succulent ribs. The guests are impressed with the flavors and quality of the food and Christine is thrilled with the success of her hog-centric menu.
In season 1 episode 2 of From Scratch, viewers are treated to an educational and entertaining journey of cooking a whole hog. Christine's determination and creativity in using every part of the hog illustrate her passion for cooking and the culinary arts. The episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in barbeque and meat-centered dishes.