Rillettes with Cosmic Dust

Ingredients:

• 1 kg pork shoulder or belly, cut into small pieces
• 250 g pork fatback, cut into small pieces
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 sprig of thyme
• 1 teaspoon black pepper, ground
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water
• 200 g pork fat
• Edible gold dust (for decoration) Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Meat: In a large pot, combine the pork shoulder, pork fatback, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, black pepper, and salt. Add the water.

  2. Slow Cook: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meat is very tender and falls apart easily.

  3. Shred the Meat: Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprig. Use two forks to shred the meat and fatback into fine fibers.

  4. Incorporate the Fat: Add the pork fat to the shredded meat and mix well. Cook over low heat for an additional 30 minutes until all the fat has melted and is well incorporated.

  5. Store: Transfer the meat and fat mixture to glass jars or airtight containers. Allow to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until the fat has solidified completely.

  6. Serve with a Cosmic Touch: To serve, remove the solidified fat layer on top. Before presenting the rillettes, sprinkle a light dusting of edible gold dust over the top to give a shimmering, cosmic effect. Serve at room temperature with toasted bread or crackers.

  Tip: Ensure that you use edible gold dust that is safe for consumption, available at specialty baking or food decoration stores. This touch of edible gold dust will not only make your rillettes visually stunning but also add an element of luxury and surprise for your guests. Enjoy your "Rillettes with Cosmic Dust"!