For the Pork Cheek & Chorizo Stew, you want sides that balance out the richness of the dish while complementing the bold flavours. Here are some ideas for sides and matches:

Sides:

• Creamy Mashed Potatoes: The smooth, buttery mash soaks up the stew’s rich sauce beautifully.
• Crusty Bread: A freshly baked loaf or sourdough bread is perfect for dipping into the sauce.
• Polenta: Creamy or grilled polenta offers a hearty base with a slightly sweet taste that pairs well with the smoky chorizo.
• Roasted Root Vegetables: Carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes roasted with olive oil and herbs will add a touch of sweetness and earthiness to complement the stew.
• Rice or Couscous: Either option offers a simple, neutral backdrop for the bold flavours of the stew.
• Herb-Roasted Potatoes: Roast potatoes with rosemary, thyme, and garlic for a crispy yet comforting side that holds up against the stew.
• Braised Cabbage or Kale: Lightly braised greens with garlic or bacon provide a fresh, slightly bitter contrast to the richness of the pork and chorizo.

Matches:

• Grilled Asparagus or Tenderstem Broccoli: These fresh greens bring a nice crunch and a pop of colour to the plate, balancing the richness of the stew.
• Sautéed Spinach: Wilted spinach with garlic and a touch of lemon juice adds a bright, fresh contrast.
• Roasted Cauliflower: Cauliflower, either simply roasted or tossed with smoked paprika, complements the deep, smoky flavours in the stew.
• Green Beans Almondine: Green beans sautéed with butter, lemon, and toasted almonds add a nutty, vibrant texture to the meal.

Other ideas:

• Pickled Vegetables: A side of pickles or a small serving of lightly pickled carrots and radishes cuts through the heaviness with acidity and crunch.
• Apple or Pear Salad: A salad with thinly sliced apples or pears, rocket, walnuts, and a mustard vinaigrette brings sweetness and freshness to contrast the richness of the dish.

Variations on a Theme!

To create variations of your Pork Cheek & Chorizo Stew, there are plenty of ingredients you can introduce that will complement the base flavours of the dish while adding new dimensions. Here are some ingredients that work well with pork cheeks and chorizo:

Vegetables:

• Bell Peppers: Add sweetness and colour; roast or sauté them before adding to the stew.
• Butternut Squash: Its sweetness works beautifully with the smoky chorizo and tender pork cheeks.
• Mushrooms: Earthy, umami-rich mushrooms such as chestnut or porcini add depth to the stew.
• Leeks: Their mild, sweet flavour complements the richness of the stew and works as a substitute for onions.
• Parsnips: Slightly sweet with a subtle nutty flavour, they add a unique twist to the root vegetable component.
• Sweet Potatoes: Replace or mix with regular potatoes for a slightly sweeter and creamier variation.

Beans & Pulses:

• Lentils: Green or brown lentils add a hearty texture and absorb the stew's flavours well.
• Chickpeas: They bring a bit of creaminess and a slight nuttiness to the dish, making it more filling.
• Cannellini Beans: These white beans are a classic addition to many Spanish-style stews and soak up the sauce beautifully.

Herbs & Spices:

• Thyme: Adds a more herbaceous note, working well with both pork and chorizo.
• Rosemary: Strong and aromatic, rosemary brings out the best in slow-cooked meats.
• Bay Leaves: While already common in stews, adding a couple more enhances the earthiness.
• Coriander (Ground): A pinch of ground coriander adds warmth and a subtle citrus-like flavour.
• Chilli Flakes: To give the stew more heat, adding some chilli flakes works well with the smoky chorizo.

Liquid Variations:

• Sherry: A splash of dry sherry brings out the sweetness in the pork cheeks and deepens the overall flavour.
• Cider: Use a dry cider instead of red wine for a lighter, slightly tangy variation.
• Beer: A dark ale or stout can bring a malty richness that pairs perfectly with the pork cheeks.
• Tomato Passata: For a richer tomato base, you can replace the chopped tomatoes with passata.

Additional Meats:

• Black Pudding: For an extra layer of richness, adding small chunks of black pudding towards the end of the cooking time creates a luxurious texture.
• Bacon or Pancetta: Adding crispy bits of bacon or pancetta to the stew enhances the smoky, salty element, and complements chorizo.

Sweet Elements:

• Dried Apricots: Adds a hint of sweetness that works surprisingly well with the pork and chorizo.
• Prunes: Similar to apricots, but with a more intense, deeper sweetness, they blend well into slow-cooked dishes like this.

Fresh Additions:

• Lemon Zest: Stirring in some lemon zest at the end brightens the whole dish, cutting through the richness.
• Olives: Green or black olives add a salty, briny note that pairs wonderfully with the pork cheeks and chorizo.
• Capers: Like olives, these bring a sharp, briny contrast to the rich and smoky stew.

Creamy Additions:

• Sour Cream: Adding a dollop at the end gives the stew a creamy richness and a tangy contrast.
• Crème Fraîche: Similar to sour cream, crème fraîche balances the flavours with a subtle creaminess.