Cajun/Creole · main
Cochon de Lait
Cochon de Lait reads umami 7.2, richness 6.9 and sourness 5.2 on Palate's 0–10 flavor X-ray — a Cajun/Creole main, about 5 hr 30 min. Measured from the recipe itself: ingredients and technique.
The flavor X-ray — six axes, 0–10
- Umami & Savory — 7.6 / 10
- Sweet & Fruity — 0.9 / 10
- Sour & Bright — 5.4 / 10
- Bitter & Earthy — 1.6 / 10
- Rich & Fat — 7.0 / 10
- Aromatic & Spice — 5.2 / 10
The measured notes (of 18)
Umami 7.2 · Richness 6.9 · Sourness 5.2 · Allium 4.7 · Herbaceous 3.0 · Salinity 2.7 · Warm Spice 2.5 · Heat 1.7 · Funk & Ferment 1.6 · Bitterness 1.4 · Earthy 1.3 · Sweetness 0.9 · Citrus 0.6
What's in it (5)
- 1 whole suckling pig (20–30 lbs)
- 10 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup Cajun spice rub (paprika, cayenne, thyme, oregano, onion powder, salt, black pepper)
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
Time & effort: about 5 hr 30 min (30 min active) · effort: medium
Nutrition (per 100 g, engine-estimated): 188.6 kcal, 17.2 g protein, 12.6 g fat, 0.3 g carbs
Dietary: Contains meat — engine-derived; double-check anything allergy-critical.
How it's cooked (3 steps)
- Rub the pig inside and out with garlic paste and the Cajun spice blend, then let it marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
- Roast low and slow over a wood fire or in an oven at around 250°F, basting periodically, for several hours until the meat is fall-apart tender.
- Raise the heat at the end to crisp the skin, then shred the meat for serving on buns or with sides.
Dishes with a similar flavor shape
- Lechona Tolimense — Colombian
- Alicha (Mild Lamb or Vegetable Stew) — Ethiopian
- Manti (Turkish Dumplings) — Turkish
- Palócleves (Palóc Soup with Lamb, Green Beans and Dill) — Hungarian
- Swedish Meatballs with Creamy Gravy — Scandinavian
Keep reading: what umami, richness, sourness mean in the flavor lexicon · the world's cuisines, by flavor.
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Every number above is Palate's engine-measured estimate, computed from this recipe's ingredients and techniques — not human-tasted ratings or reviews.