Chipotle Carnitas

Winks #5's Note:

Haven't tried this yet but believe it may be the Chipotle Carnitas recipe which is to die for. Will be trying soon. Braised Pork Shoulder with Tomatoes, Cumin, Cloves and Chipotle Peppers Adapted from the Niman Ranch Cookbook

• Total Time: 5 hrs
• Prep Time: 0 mins
• Cook Time: 5 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 3 lbs pork shoulder or 3 lbs chuck roast
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin seed, crushed slightly
• 1 onion, cut in half then chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
• 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 2 sprigs fresh oregano (can substitute dried, about 1/2 tsp?)
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 -2 bay leaf
• 2 chipotle peppers
• 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
• 1/4 cup water or 1/4 cup meat stock
• salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Rub some salt and pepper on the pork shoulder (or beef if you're using that).
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 in a food processor or 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.

Reviews

[kylienkate]

Definitely had my kitchen smelling yummy. I did not put the diced tomatoes in which I think might have been a mistake. Instead I put a mexican tomato base in that I found at Walmart. Also used a small can of the chipotles in adobo sauce which I cut up finely. I put mine in the oven. Overall, I think it turned out well. To really make it taste like chipotle's, make and add the mild salsa to it and crisp chopped lettuce. The cheese they use is a white cheddar. Next time, I would cut back on the spicy part of this.

[mrmikesd]

It's funny how ALL the recipes on the web for Chipotle's Carnitas only use 1 ingredient that's listed as the ingredients on Chipotles web site. Bay leaves are usually in there, but Juniper Berries and Thyme are never listed. I found a recipe years ago Ive been using and it is identical to the Chipotle taste. Just 5 ingredients total.

[profundus]

I'll be trying this recipe this weekend, but in the meanwhile I wanted to point out that this recipe calls for braising, which is defined as a slow cooking process, primarily in fat, in a CLOSED pot or Dutch oven. (The recipe doesn't specifically state that a lid is required - although I figgered it out since it's also a slow-cooker recipe. I'm smrt like that.)