Cuban-Style Pork Shoulder

Charlotte J's Note:

From the Los Angeles Times Note: Serve the pork with black beans and rice. This recipe requires a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.

• Total Time: 4 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 9 garlic cloves , chopped
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 4 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 teaspoons ground dried chile
• 2 dried bay leaves , finely crumbled
• 1 tablespoon orange zest , grated
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 5 lbs pork shoulder , bone and skin removed and cut into 2-inch cubes
• 3 onions
• 1⁄3; cup vegetable broth or 1⁄3; cup chicken broth

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the garlic, salt, oregano, cumin, black pepper, chili pepper, crumbled bay leaves and orange zest.
2. Stir in the vinegar, orange and lime juices to make a coarse paste.
3. Add the pork pieces and toss until the pieces are evenly coated with the spice paste.
4. Set aside to marinate while you finish the other preparations.
5. Trim and cut the onions lengthwise into 1/4 -inch-thick slices.
6. Arrange the slices in an even layer on the bottom of the slow cooker insert.
7. Pour the broth over the onions.
8. Arrange the pork in an even layer over the onions, pouring over any reserved marinade.
9. Cover the insert and place it in the slow cooker.
10. Set the cooker to high heat and cook 4 to 4 1/2 hours until the pork is fork-tender. (8 hours on low).
11. Remove from heat and crack the lid to allow the mixture to cool slightly.
12. Gently stir the pork with the onions and serve.

Reviews

[Barenaked Chef]

The ingredient list may look a bit longer, but it comes together very quickly, and even better: I had every single item in my pantry! I put this on last night and had it for lunch today. It was yummy, but like the crockpot is wont to do, the meat was dry. However, it was flavorful and tender. I shredded it up and made myself a burrito. I will post a picture of it in its whole form, though. Made for All You Can Cook Buffet.

[**Tinkerbell**]

Super easy recipe! I had a 1-1/2 lb pork tenderloin to use up so I used that instead of the shoulder & reduced the rest of the ingredients down to serve 4. I loved cooking it in the crockpot but the overall flavor was a little watered down. I think this is a good basic recipe, very tender meat, but a little too acidic. I think a little brown sugar to thicken & sweeten it a bit would balance the acid overload. :)Thanks for postiing, Char! Made for ZWT5 - Ali Baba's Babes.