Ingredients
- 2kg pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 cups water
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- ½ orange, cut in half
- ¼ cup pork lard or olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves, peeled
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Method
Step 1
Place all ingredients except pork in a cast iron pot or slow cooker on high heat and combine. Add the pork and bring to the boil. Lower heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1½ – 2 hours or until the pork is tender and falling apart.
Step 2
At this point the liquid should be thick and syrupy. If the liquid hasn’t evaporated enough, transfer the pork to a bowl and reduce until it has reached a sticky consistency, then strain through a fine mesh sieve and reserve. Pull the pork apart with a fork (or with your fingers) and pour over the reduced cooking liquid.
Step 3
Heat lard or olive oil in a cast iron skillet or heavy bottom frying pan and fry the pork for 10-15 minutes. It is best not to stir too much so that the bottom goes a golden crispy brown and the top stays moist and tender. Be careful not to burn the base.
Step 4
Stir the meat around and serve immediately with the Mexican beans. A perfect, cool-weather autumn feast!
Step 5
This beautiful braised pork would also be a fantastic filling for tacos or fajitas.
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