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Milk-Braised Pork Carnitas with Orange

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PREP TIME
10 min
COOKING TIME
150 min
TOTAL TIME
160 min
SERVINGS
8 servings
Dinner Mexican
Milk-Braised Pork Carnitas with Orange
Ingredients
  • 3 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into large pieces
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt, or more to taste
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 orange, juiced and zested
  • 2 cups whole milk
Instructions
1
Prepare the pork by sprinkling it with a generous amount of black pepper and salt, making sure to coat it evenly.
2
Heat a substantial quantity of oil in a large cooking vessel over extremely high heat, carefully managing the temperature to achieve the ideal level of sizzle. Divide the pork into smaller portions and cook each batch in the hot oil until it develops a rich, uniform brown color on all sides, taking approximately 5 minutes to accomplish this.
3
Add the cooked pork back into the pot, along with any flavorful juices that have accumulated during the cooking process.
4
Sprinkle a blend of aromatic spices, including bay leaves, cumin, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper, over the pork to create a complex flavor profile. Introduce fresh orange juice, orange zest, and milk into the mixture to add a tangy, creamy element. Bring the entire concoction to a rolling boil over extremely high heat; gradually reduce the heat to a low simmer, covering the pot to allow the flavors to meld together. Periodically stir the mixture to prevent scorching, allowing the meat to become tender and fall-apart in texture after approximately 2 hours.
5
Preheat your oven to a scorching 450 degrees F (230 degrees C), ensuring it reaches the optimal temperature before proceeding.
6
Carefully lift the pork out of its liquid and skim off any excess fat that has accumulated at the surface of the pot. Transfer this same amount of fat to a suitable baking dish, coating it evenly to create a savory glaze. Gently place the pieces of pork into the prepared baking dish, taking care not to disturb them.
7
Drizzle an additional 2 tablespoons of the floating fat over the pork, taking care to coat it evenly. If necessary, sprinkle a pinch of salt over the meat to enhance its flavor.
8
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake until the pork develops a rich, caramelized brown color, taking approximately 15 minutes to achieve this. Stir the pork gently to redistribute its juices.
9
Activate your oven's broiler and cook the pork under its intense heat until it reaches a crispy, golden-brown finish, taking 2 to 3 minutes to accomplish this.