Pork Carnitas #SundaySupper

Around here we don’t need Cinco de Mayo to have a passion for Mexican food! But it certainly doesn’t hurt! A roasted pork shoulder soaking in a citrusy marinade is enough to make my son and Jeremy and Jeannie and I absolutely giddy. This time I decided to take this dish a step further and take the delicious slow roasted pork shoulder and turn it into carnitas tacos.

A few toppings, some tortilla, rice and beans, and cold beer and you’re all set for a Cinco de Mayo fiesta!

First, you need what my darling friend Nanner refers to as a big honkin’ piece-o-pork shoulder. I use the same marinade ingredients regardless of the weight of my piggie.

• Pork shoulder (mine was 7+ pounds)
• 1 bottle of Goya Naranja Agria (bitter orange) marinade
• 4 or 5 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
• 1 T dried oregano
• 1 t kosher salt
• 1 t coarsely ground black pepper
• 1/4 C olive oil

Everything into a gigantic ziploc bag and into the fridge overnight.

Preset the oven to 350 and take the pork shoulder out so that it comes to almost room temperature.

Line a roasting dish with foil (you’ll thank me at washing time). Place the pork shoulder in the roasting pan and add about half the marinade (keep the other half). Cover with foil and roast for 3 to 4 hours (this is going to depend on the size of your roast). Remove the foil and roast for another 45 minutes to an hour.

Let the roast cool.

Chop a medium sized onion.  Once the roast has cooled to the point where you can handle it, shred it with your hands. This is a messy affair.

Add a tablespoon or two of olive oil to a pan, over medium high heat. It should be large enough to hold all the meat. When it’s hot, add the meat and cook until the pork starts to get crispy.

NOTE: We like ours very crispy on the outside. Also, if it seems to be drying out a bit while it’s crisping, add a bit of the reserved marinade to the pan.

When I serve this I place queso fresco, sliced radishes, sliced avocado, limes, cilantro, and red onion on a platter, wrap warm flour tortilla in a tea towel, put all the pork in a bowl, ice cold beer, and tell everyone to jump in. I pickle the onions and cilantro a bit by placing each in a bowl with about a 1/2 cup red wine vinegar and a 1/2 teaspoon cumin and let it sit for a while.

Enjoy!

If you want to keep the theme through this meal, make some of these FABULOUS Maya Galletas de Chocolate! Deep and rich in chocolate goodness with just a hint of kick at the end!

This week’s Sunday Supper Movement, Cinco de Mayo, is being hosted by Jen over at Juanita’s Cocina

Cinco de Mayo Appetizers & Sides {Aperitivos}:

• Chipotle Roasted Chickpeas from Home Cooking Memories
• Cinco de Mayo Tuna Pepper Poppers from Shockingly Delicious
• Elote (Mexican Grilled Corn) from Magnolia Days
• Esquites or Mexican Corn Salad from Kimchi Mom
• Grilled Corn on the Cob with Lime-Cayenne Butter from Healthy. Delicious.
• Guacamole Rice from Foxes Love Lemons
• Healthy Mexican Ceviche from Mama’s Blissful Bites
• Loaded Cheesy Nachos from Gotta Get Baked
• Lobster Guacamole from I Run For Wine
• Roasted Garlic and Bacon Guacamole from Ruffles & Truffles
• Slow Cooker Chicken Con Queso from Daily Dish Recipes

Cinco de Mayo Main Dishes {Platos Principales}:

• Barbacoa Beef from The Urban Mrs.
• Chicken Enchiladas with Avocado Cream Sauce from Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
• Chicken Fajita Feta-ccine from Chocolate Moosey
• Chicken Fajita Salad w/Home made Easy Salsa from Momma’s Meals
• Chicken Mole Potato Skins from Noshing with the Nolands
• Corona Beer-Battered Fish Tacos from Pescetarian Journal
• Duck Carnitas from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
• Enchiladas with Red Chili Sauce from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Fish Tacos with Lime Salsa from Curious Cuisiniere
• Japanese Mexican Tacos from Ninja Baking
• Lightened Up Taco Salad from Kudos Kitchen
• Mexican Pizza with Chipotle Orange Sauce from Family Foodie
• Oven Baked Beef, Bean, and Cheese Chimichangas from In The Kitchen With KP
• Pork Carnitas from From the Bookshelf
• Red Chile Jam + Tequila Chicken Quesadillas from Vintage Kitchen Notes
• Roasted Poblano and Corn Lasagna from Juanita’s Cocina
• Shrimp Soft Tacos with Lime Dressing and Crunchy Vegetables from Crazy Foodie Stunts
• Slow Cooked Carne Asadas from Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Soft Shell Tacos from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Spicy Shredded Beef Chimichangas from Supper for a Steal
• Spicy Steak Fajitas from Cravings of a Lunatic
• Stuffed Poblano Peppers from Country Girl in the Village
• Tequila Lime Chicken from No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
• Tex-Mex Chopped Chicken Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing from The Weekend Gourmet
• Tofu Tacos from Hip Foodie Mom
• Yucatan Pollo Pibil and Corn Tortillas from MarocMama

Cinco de Mayo Desserts {Postres}:

• Dairy-free Flan from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
• Dark and Spicy Chocolate Pots de Creme from Happy Baking Days
• Fried Ice Cream for a Crowd from Growing Up Gabel
• Luxuriously Healthy Chocolate Frosting from What Smells So Good?
• Mexican Brownies from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Paletas de Tamarindo (Tamarind Popsicles) from La Cocina de Leslie
• Peanut Mazapanes from Pies and Plots

Cinco de Mayo Drinks {Bebidas}:

• Fresh & Fruity Sangria from Webicurean
• Fruity Aguas Frescas from The Foodie Patootie
• Mango Aqua Fresca With Chia Seeds from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• Margarona from The Messy Baker
• Tamarindo Drink (Agua de Tamarindo) from Basic N Delicious