SLOW-COOKER PULLED PORK WITH FRIED SHALLOTS AND CHILES

Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork with Fried Shallots and Chiles image

Provided by Valerie Bertinelli

Time 6h45m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

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3 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 cup barbecue sauce
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon chipotle powder
6 ounces light lager beer, optional
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, plus a splash
Kosher salt
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
3 scallions, chopped
Vegetable oil, for frying
2 egg whites
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 Fresno chiles, sliced crosswise into rings
4 large shallots, sliced crosswise into rings
Celery salt, for seasoning
12 slices white sandwich bread
Bread-and-butter pickles, for serving

Steps:

For the pulled pork: Combine the pork, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, chili powder, chipotle powder, lager, 3 tablespoons vinegar, 2 teaspoons salt and the onions in a 6-quart slow cooker. Cook on high power for 6 hours.
With a slotted spoon, transfer the pork to a cutting board and shred using two forks. Transfer to a bowl and add enough of the liquid from the slow cooker to generously moisten. Stir in the scallions and a splash of vinegar and season with salt to taste.
For the fried shallots and chiles: Set a cooling rack over a baking sheet and set aside. Add enough oil to a medium saucepan to fill by 2 inches. Over medium heat, bring the oil to 340 degrees F. Meanwhile, put the egg whites in a medium bowl and whisk with a fork until frothy. In a separate bowl, combine the flour with the chili powder, cumin and some salt and pepper. In batches, add the chiles and shallots to the bowl of egg whites and toss to coat. Remove from the egg whites, allowing excess liquid to drain off, then place into the flour. Put the coated chiles and shallots onto the prepared cooling rack. Fry in batches until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with celery salt.
Serve the pulled pork topped with fried shallots and chiles, or assemble into sandwiches:
Add the pulled pork to 6 slices of bread, then top with fried chiles and shallots, pickles and the remaining 6 slices bread.