Con Sabor a Cochinita Pibil-Low and Slow Shredded Pork
A no fuss, low and slow easy recipe for flavorful shredded pork. The only thing missing is the essence of the banana leaves that leave their wonderful perfume through out the pork.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 10Servings
Ingredients
Marinade
1 1/2cupssour orangeBadia brand
If not availablejuice of 5 oranges and 5 limes
1/3cupolive oil
5teaspoonsannatto powder or paste
3teaspoonsgranulated garlic
2teaspoonsgranulated onion
2teaspoonscumin
2teaspoonspepper
2teaspoonsMexican oregano
1teaspooncoriander
1teaspoonred pepper flakes
Salt to taste
1/4teaspooncinnamon
1/4teaspoonground clove
You will also need
3 1/2poundspork shoulder/buttsliced into 2 inch pieces
1large white onionpeeled and sliced into thick rings
15chile guajillo
Instructions
Directions
Blend all of the ingredients for marinade. Marinate pork overnight. Remove stems and seeds from the guajillo peppers and transfer to pot. Cover with water, bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook for 15 minutes. Drain peppers and transfer to blender. Add 1 1/2 cups fresh water and blend on high until smooth. Strain through wire mesh strainer, Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Add thick sliced onion to bottom of slow cooker. Add pork and all of the marinade. Cover tightly with foil paper then lid. Cook on high for 4 hours. Remove from slow cooker and shred pork, along with all of the onions.
Skim off as much of the fat from broth left in slow cooker. Transfer all the pork and broth (about 4 cups) to a heavy pot. Heat to medium. Add reserved chile guajillo sauce. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and continue cooking for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until most of the liquid has evaporated. At this time, I like to reseason with a little more cumin, oregano, garlic and salt as it cooks down.
I prepared this pibil pork specifically for a tamal filling. This is the reason I cook it down to reduce the broth. It's much easier to fill tamales with a more solid filling with less broth. All stove tops vary as far as exact cooking time. The idea is for the broth to reduce, but you can stop cooking sooner if you like it with more broth. The pork is great for tacos, enchiladas, burritos and tostadas as well. If using for tamales, it is good for about 40 large tamales. Yields about 6 cups.
Notes
To add the banana leaves to this recipe, I would suggest using a crockpot liner. Place prepared banana leaves at the bottom of bag, once inside the crockpot. Add the pork and marinade as instructed and cook as instructed.