Chipotle Carnitas Recipes

Steps:

• Rub some salt and pepper on the pork shoulder (or beef if you're using that).
• In a dutch oven heat the oil over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides until it is browned. Remove the pork and set aside for now.
• Add the cumin seeds to the pan and toast in the hot oil until fragrant. Add the chopped onions and saute until lightly browned on the edges. Then add the garlic and chopped chipotle peppers and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the whole can of tomatoes including the liquid, bay leaves, dried oregano, cloves, chicken stock or some water and scrape up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Add the pork back to the pan and bring the contents up to a boil then lower to a bare simmer. Braise until the pork is fall-apart tender, about 3 - 4 hours (or 6 hours in a slow cooker). You can braise on the stovetop on a low heat setting, in the oven at 325 deg F, or in a slow cooker.
• The meat is done when it is fall-apart tender. Try your best to remove it in one piece and set aside. Remove the cloves, bay leaves, and oregano sprig (if you used the sprigs) from the braising liquid. Then using an immersion blender puree into a sauce. If the sauce is too thin, simmer it on the stovetop until it has reduced a little. Meanwhile, using two forks, shred the pork shoulder. Return the shredded meat to the simmering sauce. Let it heat through and soak up all the flavor and juices.

Steps:

• For the carnitas: Cut the pork into 2-inch cubes and set aside. Add the tamarind paste, brown sugar and chipotles to a blender and puree until smooth. Rub the pork cubes with the marinade, then place in a pressure cooker along with the orange juice, tamarind soda and lard. Lock the pressure cooker according to the manufacturer's instructions and set to pressure cook on high for 1 hour. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for releasing the pressure, then let sit for 15 minutes. Remove the pork and let cool slightly, then shred with two forks.
• For the black beans: Fry the black beans in a saucepan with the lard, then transfer to a blender and pulse until coarsely blended.
• To serve: Spread a spoonful of mayonnaise on each roll, then add some refried beans on the bottom half of each. Top with the shredded carnitas, red onion, avocado, cilantro leaves and the top half of the roll.
• Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add a thin layer of vegetable oil. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and use another cast-iron skillet to weigh down the sandwiches until crispy on the first side, about 2 minutes. Flip and repeat, about 2 minutes more.

Steps:

• Mix the first nine ingredients. Cut roast in half; rub with 1/4 cup spice mixture. Cover and store remaining mixture in a cool, dry place for up to 1 year., Place onions and peppers in a 4-qt. slow cooker. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Brown roast on all sides. Transfer meat and drippings to slow cooker. Top with salsa. Cook, covered, on low until meat is tender, 8-10 hours., Remove roast; shred with two forks. Skim fat from cooking juices. Return meat to slow cooker; heat through. Using a slotted spoon, place 1/2 cup meat mixture on each tortilla. Sprinkle with cheese. Add toppings of your choice.

Steps:

• Set 1 oven rack in the middle and another rack about 6 inches from the top. Preheat the oven's broiler. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Place carnitas in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
• Place on the top rack under the preheated broiler and reheat until edges of carnitas are crispy, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toast English muffin halves. Remove from toaster and wrap in aluminum foil.
• Remove carnitas from the oven and cover with aluminum foil. Turn off the broiler and preheat oven to the lowest setting.
• Return carnitas and English muffins to the oven to keep warm until needed.
• Combine avocados, lime juice, and salt in a small bowl. Roughly smash to combine and set aside.
• Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in hollandaise sauce mix until blended. Remove from heat. Gradually whisk in milk. Return to the stove, add chipotle powder, and whisk constantly over medium-high heat until boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, whisking frequently, for 1 minute. Keep sauce warm while you prepare eggs.
• Heat 2 to 3 inches water in a large, shallow saucepan until boiling. Add vinegar and lower heat to a light simmer. Crack 1 egg into a small ramekin. Lower the ramekin to the surface of the water and ease the egg out into the pan. Repeat with remaining eggs, poaching up to 4 at a time. Poach eggs until whites are completely set and yolks are slightly soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove eggs from the pan with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining eggs.
• Place 2 English muffin halves on each plate. Top each half with avocado, carnitas, and 1 egg, then drizzle with hollandaise sauce.

Steps:

• Add broth to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Mix seasonings; rub over all sides of pork. Place in slow cooker. Add onion and garlic cloves. Cook, covered, on low 8-10 hours, until meat is tender., Remove pork; cool slightly. Strain cooking juices, reserving garlic cloves; discard onion. Skim fat from cooking juices. Mash garlic with a fork. Shred pork with 2 forks. , Return cooking juices, garlic and pork to slow cooker. Squeeze lime juice over pork; heat through, stirring to combine. Layer tostada shells with pork mixture and toppings as desired. Serve with lime wedges.

Steps:

• Using a square of cheesecloth, make a spice bundle: Place thyme springs, juniper berries, bay leaves, and black peppercorns in the center of the cloth and secure with kitchen twine.
• In a slow cooker set to low , arrange pork roast in the bottom. Add water, spice bundle, and salt.
• Cover and set for 10 hours. It may take 12 hours, carnitas will be ready when pork is easily shreddible with a fork.
• Using a large slotted spoon or a pair of tongs, transfer pork to a large bowl (save cooking liquid for later). Allow pork to rest, covered, for about 10 minutes.
• Heat taco shells according to manufacturer's directions, and prepare toppings of your choice.
• Shred pork using two forks or tongs, discarding excess fat. Taste cooking liquid. (if it is too salty, thin the cooking liquid with hot water). Moisten carnitas with 1 cup of cooking liquid, reserving the rest for later use.
• Assemble tacos:.
• Fill Taco shells with Copycat Chipotle Carnitas, and desired toppings.