One medium pork shoulder transformed into a deeply aromatic tray of saucy pulled pork is one of life’s great pleasures.
These pulled pork tacos are a great way to entertain – serve smaller ones as canapé’s or starters, or larger ones as main meals. Serve with a chilled bottle of Spier MCC Brut.
Pulled Pork Tacos with Green Apple & Avocado Salsa
For the pulled pork: (serves 6)
- 1 kg boneless pork shoulder (or about 1,3 kg on the bone)
- 1 x 340 ml lager beer
- 15 ml brown sugar
- 10 ml ground paprika (not smoked)
- 5 ml ground cumin
- 5 ml dried origanum
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) apple cider vinegar
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) ketchup (tomato sauce)
- 125 ml (1/2 cup) good quality BBQ sauce
- 30 ml (2 tablespoons) Dijon mustard
- 30 ml (2 tablespoons) Worcestershire sauce
- salt & pepper, to taste
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 160 °C. Place the pork in a deep cast iron pot or roasting tray that will fit it relatively snugly (it will shrink a little). In a large mixing jug, add the beer, sugar, paprika, cumin, origanum, vinegar, ketchup, BBQ sauce, mustard, Worcester sauce and a generous seasoning of salt & pepper. Mix well, then pour over the pork. Cover with a lid, then roast for 3 hours or until very tender. Remove from the oven, then use 2 forks to pull apart. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Set aside, covered, until ready to serve.
For the salsa:
- 1-2 Granny Smith green apples, finely diced
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1-2 large ripe avocados, skin & pit removed, diced
- a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice
- a handful fresh coriander leaves, roughly chopped
- salt & black pepper, to taste
Mix everything together in a medium bowl and serve at once, with the pulled pork & mayonnaise on tacos.
For serving:
- 6-12 medium size hard or soft tacos (corn or flour)
- good quality mayonnaise
- fresh coriander leaves
- lemon wedges
Arrange some mayo, salsa and pulled pork on each taco, then sprinkle with fresh coriander and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Serve at once.
About the wine: Spier MCC Brut
A vibrant light straw colour. The wine’s fresh, clean nose offers apples and biscuits. A balanced mouthfeel, good acidity and exuberant bubbles culminate in a lively aftertaste.
