
Shepherds' Meat
Carne dei Pastori
Shepherd's meat is a Sardinian preparation of browned pork, pecorino fresh and onions, finished in the oven.
Shepherds' meat is a main course Sardinian with a rustic and decisive character, built on the encounter between the pork pulp and the lactic component of the pecorino Fresh. Marinating in oil, along with garlic, salt, and black pepper, prepares the meat for a fragrant browning and enhances its surface. The result focuses on the balance between the firm and juicy texture of the pork, the softness of the freshly warmed cheese, and the sweetness of the onions cooked in the oil. lardThe final baking session, brief but intense, fuses the different elements without transforming them into a monotonous dish. In Sardinia, this dish embodies a concrete cuisine, based on a few recognizable ingredients and essential techniques: marinating, browning, softening, and finishing in the heat of the oven. It's perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner, when you want to bring a flavorful dish rich in contrasts to the table.
Instructions
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6 steps · natural Italian voice
Prepare the marinade
Rub the pork pulp with the cloves of garlic, then season it with salt and black pepper and drizzle it with extra virgin olive oil. Cover the meat and let it marinate; the seasoning should coat it evenly and the garlic scent should be evident.
Slice the pecorino
Cut the pecorino Freshly sliced ​​into evenly sized slices, thin enough to soften quickly in the oven but firm enough to remain recognizable. Arrange them on a platter until ready to assemble, when they should cover the surface of the meat without overlapping excessively.
Cook the onions
Slice the onions and let them wilt quickly lard, keeping the heat moderate to prevent them from browning too quickly. Stir until they become soft, shiny, and fragrant; they're ready when the texture is tender and the bottom doesn't have any burnt spots.
Brown the meat
Drain the meat and brown it in the same oil as the marinade, turning it to brown it on all sides. Keep the heat high enough to ensure a nice brown surface and intense aroma, without burning the garlic or leaving the meat pale.
Complete with condiments
Transfer the meat to a baking pan or in an ovenproof dish. Cover it with the slices of pecorino fresh and distribute over the onions cooked in the lard, creating a uniform layer that can melt and flavor the surface during the final cooking.
Put it in the oven
5 minBake in hot oven for five minutes. Check that the pecorino It has softened and the surface is nice and warm and fragrant; avoid leaving it in the oven longer than necessary, so that the cheese retains its flavour and the meat doesn't dry out excessively.
Chef's Tips
The editors recommend browning the meat in the same oil as the marinade, so the garlic transfers its flavor to the meat without dispersing the aromas collected during the marinade.
Ingredients
- Ingredients for 6 people
- (17.64 oz) 500 g pork pulp
- (12.35 oz) 350 g of pecorino fresh
- 2 onions
- 3 cloves of garlic
- extra virgin olive oil lard
- salt and black pepper
Can't find it in the US?
- young pecorinoItalian delis or online
Young Manchego
Or: Pecorino Toscano
- lardMost US supermarkets
Vegetable shortening, same weight, for doughs and pastry
Or: Neutral oil for frying; butter for doughs, 20% more by weight
Shortening has a neutral flavor; butter browns faster.
⚠️ Automatic ingredient-based detection. Always check product labels.









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