Braised Pork Tacos Rachael Ray Food

BRAISED PORK TACOS - RACHAEL RAY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Season the pork generously with salt and pepper, to taste, and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Pat the pork dry with a paper towel. Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over high heat with 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, 2 turns of the pan. Put the pork in the pot and evenly brown the meat all over, it will take about 10 to 12 minutes; remove the pork to a plate and reserve.
• Turn heat down to medium-high, and add the extra-virgin olive oil to the pot, a couple of turns of the pan. Add the onions and garlic, salt and pepper, to taste, the oregano, 1 sliced chili pepper and 2 bay leaves and cook for 7 to 8 minutes. Deglaze the pot with the beer, scraping up the bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Stir in the chicken stock and orange juice. Add the reserved pork back to the pot (the liquid should come about 2/3 the way up the meat) and bring to a simmer. Cover and put the pork in the oven, turning the meat halfway through cooking, until the meat is very tender, about 2 1/2-3 hours. Remove the pork from the pot, to a cutting board and tent with foil to keep warm. When cool enough to handle, pull the meat apart with 2 forks.
• Simmer the braising liquid over medium heat until reduced by half. Add the chipotle and adobo sauce and the lime juice. Add about 2/3 of the shredded meat and stir. Cool the remaining shredded pork and chill for another use.
• While the pork is cooking, prepare the pickled red onions: in a small saucepot, bring the white wine vinegar, sugar, teaspoon of salt, remaining chili pepper and bay leaves to a simmer over low heat. Put the sliced red onions in a small sealable container. Carefully pour the hot liquid over the onions, cover and give it a shake. You may need to lift the lid to release some of the pressure. Every now and then, give it a good shake. Refrigerate to cool.
• To serve, put the chipotle pulled pork on a platter and garnish with pickled onions and pickled jalapeno slices. Serve with shredded cabbage, crumbled cheese and tortillas for wrapping.

BRAISED PORK WITH CARAWAY, APPLES AND ONIONS AND MUSTARD-CHEDDAR MASHED POTATOES WITH PARSNIPS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Let the pork sit covered at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Pat the pork dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle the pork generously with salt and pepper.
• Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat with the oil, 2 turns of the pan. Place the pork in the pot and evenly brown the meat all over, about 10 to 12 minutes time in total. Remove the pork and reserve.
• Turn heat down to medium, add 3 tablespoons of the butter to the pot. When it foams, add the caraway, fennel and mustard seeds and stir for 1 minute. Add in the onions, apples, thyme, nutmeg and some salt and pepper. Cook to begin to soften, 5 minutes. Then deglaze the pot with the vinegar. Stir in the honey and beer, scraping up the bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Add in the chicken stock and then the reserved pork, and bring to a simmer. Cover and place the pot in the oven until the meat is very tender, 2 1/2 to 3 hours, turning the meat halfway through cooking.
• Remove the pork from the pot, place on a plate and tent with foil to keep warm. When cool enough to handle, pull the meat apart with two forks. Return the meat to the braising liquid. The apples and onions will have almost completely melted into a chunky sauce. Cool and store in the refrigerator for a make-ahead meal.
• Place the potatoes and the parsnips in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, salt the water and cook until tender. Drain and return to the hot pot. Mash the potatoes with the milk and the remaining 3 tablespoons butter. Then season with salt and pepper, and add the cheese and mustard. Taste to adjust the seasonings, cool and store for a make-ahead meal.
• To serve, reheat the pork, covered over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reheat the mashed potatoes and parsnips over medium heat covered with a little stock or milk to loosen. Mashed potatoes can be kept warm for hours by placing them in a covered saucepot inside of a larger pot filled with an inch of water at a low simmer.
• Serve the pork alongside or on top of the potatoes, and sprinkle chopped parsley on everything.