Friday, September 28, 2012

Dutch Oven Pulled Pork


Ingredients
* 2 tbsp oil
* boneless pork shoulder, 3-4 lbs
* 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
* 1/2 cup crushed tomatoes
* 2 tbsp tomato paste
* 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
* 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
* 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
* 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
* 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
* 1 tsp kosher salt
* 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 325. While the oven is heating, whisk together all the ingredients except the pork and oil.  Make sure the sauce is very well combined.  Set aside.
2. In the Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat.  Add the pork and brown all sides of the pork, about 1-2 minutes per side.
3. Once the pork has been properly browned, carefully pour the sauce over the pork, turning the pork to completely coat it.
4. Place the lid on the Dutch oven and place it in the oven.  Braise the meat for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.  Check on it after about 1 hour to turn it over.  The check on it again every 25 minutes or so to monitor to sauce - it will thicken and begin to get dark, but you don't want the sauce to burn.
5. Carefully remove the pot from the oven.  Remove the pork to cool o a cutting board. Use 2 forks to shred it into bite sized pieces.  Once it is completely shredded, serve as desired.

Ideas to use the shredded pork: serve it on rolls or plates with your favorite barbecue or hot sauce, in tortillas with taco fixins', between tortilla shells with cheese as quesadillas.

Notes
This is a spicier pulled pork than my usual.  Traditionally I throw a pork loin or couple of tenderloins in a crock pot with some onions and our favorite barbecue sauce.  While that is good, this method flavors the meat without making it "saucy" which in turn makes it a bit more versatile.  Ryan clearly preferred this way over my usual slow cooker way, and the kids were fine with the heat, though a little more milk was consumed over dinner! This pork is definitely a keeper!

3 comments:

  1. Camping next weekend, wondering if I could do this over an open fire. How important is temp control do you think?

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    Replies
    1. I bet this would totally work! It might take a bit longer, and you might want to add some additional liquid (maybe a cup or 2 of chicken or beef stock). Let me know how it works out!!!

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