GANGS OF NEW YORK (2002)
Stewed Chitterlings and Pig Maws
For the gang boss, street fighter and Catholic-hater Bill “The Butcher” Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis), meat really is murder. Effective master of the Five Points, early New York’s most foetid slum, he teaches knife-fighting to a new gang recruit, Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio), by making him attack a pig carcass.
Pork is the closest thing to human flesh, he claims, and shows him how to slash an artery.
He little realises that Vallon is actually the son of a murdered gang rival, the Priest (Liam Neeson), and will one day turn his blade on Bill himself.
Like Bill, this period recipe for pig offal may have its fans, but is decidedly not for the faint-hearted.
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What you need
3lb pig chitterlings (intestines)
1lb pig maws (stomach)
1 onion
4 carrots, peeled
2 sticks celery
2tbsp malt vinegar
2tsp whole cloves
2 bay leaves
1tbsp strong mustard water
METHOD
Wash the chitterlings and maws thoroughly with water. Stud the onion with cloves. Bring a large pan of water to the boil. Add the maws, vegetables, vinegar and bay leaves and boil gently for 90 minutes. Add the chitterlings and simmer for 90 minutes.
Remove the chitterlings and maws and chop into bite-sized pieces. Put the meat in a pan and just cover with strained cooking broth. Add the mustard, stir and simmer for 15 more minutes. Serves 6 with mashed potatoes and Savoy cabbage.
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FEARGUS O’SULLIVAN