Monday, May 16, 2011

Braised Carnitas

Original Recipe by Kitchen Groovy

3-3.5 lb. boneless pork shoulder
6 cloves garlic, halved
1 large white onion, roughly chopped into large pieces
Zest of 1 orange, cut into thin strips
1 C orange juice
Kosher Salt
Freshly Ground Pepper
Canola Oil
Corn or Flour Tortillas
Condiments - i.e. salsa, sour cream, black beans, rice, etc.

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Trim pork shoulder of any fat and discard.  Cut meat into roughly 5 or 6 large pieces or strips - about 2" thick.  Rub salt and pepper on pieces of meat.  Heat oil in a large Dutch Oven on medium high to high heat.  Once the oil is hot, lay meat in the oil, careful not to crowd the meat.  Sear the meat on each side, roughly 2-4 minutes on each side. 

Once meat is seared, remove meat to a plate.  Add onion, garlic, orange zest, orange juice and 2 tsp. salt.  Stir so all is mixed, then add meat back on top of ingredients.  Add water (or beer) to barely cover the meat.

Cover and place in oven for 3 hours. 

Afterwards, remove meat and shred.  Transfer to a warm serving bowl and serve at once.  Accompany with warm tortillas and other favorite condiments.