How to Cook Scrapple: 14 Steps
Scrapple, a traditional dish from the Pennsylvania Dutch culture, is a delicious and versatile breakfast item made from a mix of pork scraps, cornmeal, and spices. Here’s how to cook scrapple in 14 easy steps:
1. Gather your ingredients: 1 lb. of pork scraps (pork shoulder or pork belly), 2 cups of cornmeal, 4 cups of water, 1/4 cup of flour, salt, pepper, and your choice of seasonings (sage, thyme, etc.).
2. Prepare the pork. Remove any excess fat and cut the meat into small pieces.
3. Boil the pork in a large pot with enough water to cover the meat for about 30-45 minutes or until tender.
4. Remove the pot from heat and allow it to cool slightly. Then, strain the broth into a separate container and set aside.
5. Transfer the cooked pork to a cutting board. Use two forks or your hands (wear gloves for safety) to shred the meat into small pieces.
6. Measure out 2 cups of the reserved broth and return it to your pot along with the shredded pork.
7. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat while stirring frequently, allowing any remaining fat to separate and rise to the top.
8. Skim off any fat that rises to the surface using a slotted spoon or ladle.
9. Gradually add cornmeal to the boiling mixture, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
10. When all cornmeal has been added, stir in flour and seasonings such as salt, pepper, sage, and thyme depending on your personal taste preference.
11.Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer for about 15-20 minutes while occasionally stirring until the scrapple mixture thickens.
12. Carefully pour the hot scrapple mixture into a lightly greased loaf pan and smooth out the top. Allow it to cool to room temperature before transferring the pan to the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
13. Once chilled and firm, remove the scrapple from the loaf pan by running a knife along the edges and turning it out onto a cutting board. Slice the scrapple into 1/2-inch to one-inch thick pieces.
14. In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, cook each slice of scrapple for about 3-5 minutes per side or until your desired level of crispiness is achieved. Serve immediately with eggs, toast, or your favorite breakfast sides.
With these simple steps, anyone can master how to cook scrapple and enjoy this classic mealtime favorite!