Autumn Carnitas with Apple Slaw and Chipotle Pumpkin Crema
Ingredients
Carnitas:
3 lb. pork shoulder, skin and bone removed
Cold water to barely cover
2 tsp. kosher salt, or to taste
Apple Slaw:
¼ cup olive oil
2 tsp.Dijon mustard
1 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 small purple cabbage, cored and sliced into small stripes (about 2 cups)
3 small organic Granny Smith apples, or other tart, crisp apple
loose ½ cup chopped cilantro
sea salt and pepper, to taste
Chipotle Pumpkin Crema:
½ cup sour cream
¼ cup pumpkin puree
2 tsp. adobo sauce, from Chipotle peppers in adobo
½ tsp. apple cider vinegar
To serve:
Small corn tortillas
A couple limes, cut into wedges
Hot sauce
Instructions
For the Carnitas:
Cut the meat, with the fat, into strips about 2 x ¾ inches. Barely cover the meat with water in a Dutch oven, add the salt, and bring it to a boil, uncovered.
Lower the heat to medium-low (enough to maintain a simmer.) Let the meat continue simmering until all the liquid has evaporated -- about 1 hour and a half, depending on the shape of your pot (Ours had evaporated within 1 hour 10 minutes).By this time the meat should be cooked through but not falling apart.
Lower the heat a little more and continue cooking the meat until all the fat has rendered out of it. Keep turning the meat until it is lightly browned all over -- about 1 hour and 10 minutes (Ours took about 45 minutes before it was browned).
For the Apple Slaw:
In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, mustard, honey and apple cider vinegar..
Toss the chopped cabbage and apple into the bowl with the dressing. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
Cover and chill in the fridge for an hour. Mix in the chopped cilantro right before serving.
For the Chipotle Pumpkin Crema:
Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use.
To serve:
Spoon a few pieces of pork onto each tortilla. Top with apple slaw and crema.
Garnish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and hot sauce (if desired).
Recipe by Allons-Eat! at https://www.allonseat.com/carnitas-with-apple-slaw-and-chipotle-pumpkin-crema/