Chef Donald Link's Boudin, the Acadian Staple

• pork shoulder↗2 lbs

  boneless, cut in 1-inch cubes

• pork liver↗1⁄2 lb

  cut in 1-inch cubes

• onion↗1

  chopped

• celery ribs↗2

  chopped

• poblano chile↗1

  chopped

• jalapenos↗3

  chopped

• garlic cloves↗6

  coarsely chopped

• kosher salt↗4 tablespoons
• black pepper↗1 tablespoon
• white pepper1 tablespoon
• curing salt1⁄2 teaspoon
• cayenne↗1 teaspoon
• chili powder↗1 teaspoon
• white rice↗7 cups

  cooked

• parsley↗1 cup

  fresh chopped

• cup scallion, chopped↗1
• feet sausage casings, rinsed (optional)↗4 -6

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Combine pork, liver, vegetables and seasonings in a bowl. Cover, refrigerate and marinate for 1 hour or overnight. Place mixture in a large pot and cover the meat with water (by 1 to 2 inches). Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until the meat is tender, about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

2. 2

   Remove pot from the heat and strain, reserving the liquid. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then put the solids through a meat grinder set on coarse grind. (Or chop with a knife.).

3. 3

   Place the meat in a large bowl. With a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, mix in rice, parsley, scallions and the reserved cooking liquid. Stir vigorously for 5 minutes. (Mixture will look very wet, and it's spicy. After poaching, the rice absorbs the moisture and much of the spice.).

4. 4

   At this point, you can feed the sausage into the casings. Poach the links gently in hot (not bubbling) water for about 10 minutes, then serve. Alternatively, use the mixture as stuffing for chicken, or roll it into boudin balls, dredge in bread crumbs, and fry in hot oil until golden brown.

5. 5

   *Curing salt contains sugar, nitrates and agents that help preserve the meat. Regular salt cannot be substituted.