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Chilorios

By Paula Deen

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Difficulty: Medium

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Servings: 8

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Ingredients

  • 3 lbs (or loin with some fat on) cut into 2" chunks, or substitute for chicken boneless pork butt or shoulder
  • 1 1/4 cups fresh orange juice
  • 1 1/4 cups water
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons divided kosher salt
  • 5 (about 55 grams), tops and seeds removed ancho chiles
  • 1/2 cup roughly chopped white onion
  • 4 cloves peeled garlic
  • 1/3 cup fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2/3 cup or distilled white vinegar cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons corn oil
  • warmed, optional flour tortillas

Directions

Place rinsed meat chunks in an extended heavy pot. Barely cover with the orange juice and water, add a teaspoon of salt and set over high heat. Once it comes to a boil bring the heat down to medium and let it simmer for about 40 to 45 minutes, or until most liquid has cooked off and the meat is thoroughly cooked and has rendered most of its fat.

Meanwhile, remove stems from chiles, make a slit down their sides and remove their seeds and veins. Place them in a bowl, cover them with boiling hot water and let them sit and rehydrate for about 15 minutes. Place chiles and 1 1/2 cup of their soaking liquid in the blender along with the onion, garlic, parsley, oregano, cumin, black pepper, vinegar and puree until smooth.

Once the meat is ready, place it in a bowl along with any remaining cooking broth. Once it is cool enough to handle, shred it with your hands or using two forks.

In the same pot, heat corn oil over medium heat. Pour in the chile sauce and let it season and simmer 4 to 5 minutes. Toss in the shredded meat along with any of its remaining cooking broth. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt and let it cook, stirring often, until the meat has absorbed most of the chile sauce, which will have thickened, seasoned and changed color to a much darker tone. It will take around 20 minutes. Salt to taste.

Serve with warmed flour tortillas on the side. If you wish, spoon chilorio on tortillas and roll them into burritas. They are wonderful with refried beans and avocado or guacamole on the side as well.