Carnitas

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » December 29, 2003, 9:33 pm

I am going to make a crack at this tomorrow in a crock pot. For those of you that aren't familiar with carnitas, it is roasted and refried pork roast, very much like traditional shredded southern BBQ pork.

Here is my recipe that I put together (hope it works!)

4 lb boneless pork shoulder (Boston cut)
4 Fresh whole jalepenos (chopped roughly)
2 Limes (use juice and zest of limes)
1 juice of orange (I added a little of the zest too, so yeah, use it!)
1 Large Yellow Onion (sliced)
1/2 cup chopped green onion
4 cloves garlic (quartered)
12 oz beer (or 1/2 - 3/4 cup water, broth or white wine, depending on size of cooker)
Crushed black pepper
Sea Salt
Cayenne Pepper
Dried Oregeno
2 Bay leaves
1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Rub roast with salt, pepper, cayenne, oregeno and let sit until it is at room temperature. Make slits in roast and insert garlic slivers.

Sear all sides of roast in heavy frying pan (optional, but if there is a lot of fat on the roast, this will cook some of it off)

Place 1 sliced onion on bottom of crock pot

Add beer

Add roast and remaining ingredients

Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours until fork tender and cooked through (175 for pork)

Remove roast from cookware and let cool. Fork or finger shred the meat, discarding fat.

Add meat to roasting pan and broil in oven for ~10 minutes to brown

Serve on flour or corn tortillas with remaining cilantro, salsa, onion or whatever you enjoy.

EDIT: made some alterations!

Sirensa · Post by **Sirensa** » December 29, 2003, 9:47 pm

Oh what the fuck.

I got a new crock pot for xmas! You can try it out at my house

:D:D

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » December 29, 2003, 10:26 pm

Hahahaha! This one was for Christmas as well.

Lemme see if this works, THEN I will cook it for yall.

PS: Matt & Jennie are in for New Years at our special table.

Sirensa · Post by **Sirensa** » December 30, 2003, 2:12 pm

Woot!

They'd better not get sick or fall down any stairs by tomorrow. And no food poisoning either !!

Arundel Pajo · Post by **Arundel Pajo** » December 31, 2003, 4:11 pm

I love carnitas! Let me know how the recipe turns out - I'm not so sure about adding the beer...

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » December 31, 2003, 4:20 pm

It turned out quite well!!

As far as the beer, you need to use some amount of liquid in a slow cooker. However, not too much, as the veggies and juices will cook out, yet not boil off as is the case with conventional cooking. I like to use beer as a water substitute and in marinades for its tenderizing properties.

Wine, broth, or plain ol' water should sub in nicely though!

Arundel Pajo · Post by **Arundel Pajo** » December 31, 2003, 4:35 pm

Excellent! I look forward to trying it soon!