MEXICAN BRAISED PORK SHOULDER

MEXICAN BRAISED PORK SHOULDER image

Yield 6-8 people

Number Of Ingredients 20

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31/2-4# boneless pork shoulder (paleta de puerco)
2 medium vidalia onions, quartered
2 large pablano chile peppers, deseeded and cut into 1/2" sized pieces
5 cloves garlic, minced
12oz. light Mexican beer (like Tecate)
12oz. can quality tomato paste
12oz. water
28oz. can prepared green chile enchilada sauce (like La Victoria)
6oz. tamed pickled jalapenos (use hot if preferred)
1 Tbl. habanero sauce (can be added after cooking to obtain desired spice level)
1 Tbl. ground coriander
1/2 Tbl. ground cumin
1/2 Tbl. granulated garlic
1/2 Tbl. granulated onion
2 Tbl. salt
1 Tbl. fresh ground black pepper
1 Tbl. canola oil
iceberg lettuce, minced
tortillas (flour or corn, which ever you prefer)
queso fresco (or desired cheese)

Steps:

Season pork shoulder evenly with coriander, cumin, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper. Add canola oil to a pre-heated dutch/french oven on stove top. once oil is hot sear pork on 1 side for 5 minutes on medium heat (allowing pork to brown by not moving until meat releases from pot). repeat browning on all sides. remove pork and set aside. add onions and pablanos into pot (add a little oil if needed). while veggies are cooking constantly scrap any brown bits from bottom of pot. Continue till onions become translucent. next, add the garlic and continue cooking for 45 seconds. than, add the beer. continue scrapping of all brown bits while beer reduces to 1/4 cup. than add tomato paste; constantly stirring for 1 1/2 minutes. now add the enchilada sauce, water, and jalapenos. mix sauce and veggies till incorporated well. (this can all be done a day ahead and braiseing process can be done later if desired) return pork and let sauce come to boil. cover, and place in pre-heated 350 degree oven for 2.5-3 hours (until pork pulls apart with fork). remove pork to cutting board and shed with a fork, removeing any excess fat. taste sauce for heat and add haberno sauce if desired. return meat to sauce. serve with heated tortillas, and shredded lettuce, and cheese. *can use any leftovers for an awesome breakfest by adding pork to scrambled eggs.