Braised Pork Shoulder

"As the holidays approach and your days reach a frenetic pace (recitals, parties, football games, oh my!), getting dinner on the table can pose even more of a challenge than usual. That’s where your neighborhood Trader Joe’s comes in, in general, and with Braised Pork Shoulder in a Fig & Apricot Sauce, in particular. Cooked sous vide (that is, cooked vacuum-sealed in a warm water bath) for more than 12 hours, this mouthwateringly moist Pork Shoulder takes the guesswork out of main dish musings with aplomb. It’s covered in a sweetly complex Fig & Apricot Sauce, its tangy stone fruit and balsamic flavors deftly complementing the savory garlic and onion, all of which elevate the Pork Shoulder to new heights. With notes of black pepper and coriander, it’s well-paired with a glass of spice-forward Pontificis GSM. Perhaps most impressively, it manages to be exceedingly tender without falling apart, allowing you to slice and serve it as an effortlessly fancy focal point on a plate of fluffy mashed potatoes and crisp salad greens. Dinner is served, indeed! Averaging about 1.5 pounds in size, Trader Joe’s Braised Pork Shoulder in a Fig & Apricot Sauce heats in a 350°F oven in about 20 minutes—and if time is of the essence, you can microwave it in about eight minutes. You might be thinking, “Braised Pork Shoulder that’s ready to eat, in just eight minutes? Impossible!” It is possible, and it’s only available in the refrigerators at Trader Joe’s, through the holiday season."