Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt plus more
  • 2 pounds skinless, boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt)
  • 1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 4 large shallots, halved lengthwise
  • 1/2 cup brandy
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 1 sprig thyme
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons Sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 baguette, thinly sliced, toasted
  • Whole grain mustard (for serving)

Method

  • Preheat oven to 275°F. Mix sugar, pepper, dried thyme, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and 1 tablespoon salt in a small bowl. Place pork in a roasting pan and season with spice mixture. Cover with foil and cook until fork-tender, 3-4 hours. Let pork cool in pan.
  • Meanwhile, heat butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until foaming, about 5 minutes. Skim foam from surface; discard. Gently simmer butter, skimming foam from surface, until butter is clear (do not let solids brown). Slowly pour clarified butter into a small bowl, leaving solids behind (you should have about 1 cup). Cover and chill until firm, 1-2 hours.
  • Coarsely shred pork and place in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add fresh thyme and 3/4 cup clarified butter and mix on medium-low speed until a coarse but emulsified mixture forms; season with salt. Divide mixture between two 8-oz. jars, packing down. Melt remaining clarified butter in a small saucepan over low heat; pour over mixture. Cover jars. Chill until pork mixture is firm, at least 4 hours.
  • DO AHEAD:
  • Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 8-10 minutes; remove from heat. Add brandy, then return pan to heat and cook shallot mixture until brandy is reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, and broth; cook, stirring occasionally, until shallots are soft and glazed, 25-35 minutes. Remove from heat, discard garlic and thyme, and stir in vinegar and sugar; season with salt. Let cool.
  • Serve potted pork with braised shallots, toasts, and mustard.
  • DO AHEAD: