Some of you already know this by now, but I don’t care for pork. I’m just not fond of the taste, unless it’s bacon. You may recall though, that on New Year’s Eve, I ordered a shredded pork dish for dinner. I mainly ordered it because it was the least complicated thing for me to paleoize, but also thought I might like it since I love shredded meat, specifically chicken and beef. Well, I did like it … a lot! Since then, I’ve been thinking about trying out a shredded pork recipe myself. This past weekend, it finally happened.
It was a spur of the moment decision and completely unplanned. I really value moments like that. Anyway, I was in Food Front Co-op in NW Portland after work on Sunday, and spotted one small and lonely pork shoulder roast. At that moment, I decided it was time, and threw it in my basket. For the recipe, I flew by the seat of my pants and used what I had on hand.
The recipe turned out phenomenal. It tasted so good, that I didn’t want the last bite to come. To compensate, I very slowly savored every last morsel. I usually do well with eating slowly, but I especially did well this time.
If you’re not much of a pork person, like me, this recipe may surprise you. I can’t wait to make it again.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lb pork shoulder roast
- 2 tsp grass-fed ghee
- 3/4 tsp cumin
- 3/4 tsp chili powder
- 3/4 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Sea salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 stalks of celery, chopped
- 4 large carrots, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1/2 head cabbage, chopped (use more if serving more than 2 people)
- Avocado slices, optional
Directions:
- Combine spices, sea salt and pepper, and coat all sides of the roast. If you have extra spice mixture leftover, set it aside. You will use it later. If you use it all, that’s fine too.
- Melt 1 tsp of ghee (or fat of choice) in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork shoulder, and brown a couple minutes on each side. Once all sides are browned, remove from pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, melt the remaining 1 tsp of ghee (add more if needed) over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and garlic and saute 4-5 minutes, until softened. Once done, pour the mixture into the slow cooker.
- Add carrots to the slow cooker and place the roast on top of the veggies. Add the chicken broth, lime juice and any remaining spice mixture.
- Place lid on slow cooker and cook on high for 6-7 hours or low for 8-10.
- Once done, turn the slow cooker off or to warm. Then, remove the pork roast and cut off the twine. Shred meat with two forks and add back to the slow cooker. Give everything a stir.
- In a pan over medium heat, melt a little fat of choice. Add the chopped cabbage and season with sea salt and pepper. Saute about 5 minutes, or until softened.
- Serve the shredded pork mixture over the cabbage and serve with avocado slices, if desired.
Yields: 3-4 servings
Can’t wait to try!
Ashley Kipp http://www.craving4more.com
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did😉
Thanks for your posts each day. They help keep me motivated and challenge myself to try new things. It’s not just the recipes though, you have a very motivating and positive tone in all of your posts. That’s so important for the reader to see you not only enjoy eating this way, but you’re truly happy and you are enjoying this. I can tell you’re passionate. So far, I’ve lost 10 pounds since the beginning of Jan, following the Paleo diet. I’m loving it, have more energy, feel good about myself & am seeing results. I am so thankful. Thanks again for all you do. You give back to the community without even knowing it🙂
Also, a side note. Jesse is our trainer at work and he has a smile light up his face when he mentions you. It’s so refreshing to see couples who are truly in love. We’re dwindling away I think. I feel very fortunate to have found my true love, although it took awhile (30 when we met & that was 6 years ago). Wishing you a great 2013 and a great celebration as you two unite this year. Happy times!
Heather, you have no idea how much your words mean to me. I am so, so touched. I’m happy in my life and passionate about the paleo lifestyle, and I’m so glad it’s apparent in my writing. It took me a long time to get to where I am today, and it didn’t come without struggles. It feels good to finally be living a life that I’m truly happy in, and to be pursuing the things that I love. Thank YOU for supporting both me and my blog. It wouldn’t be the same without people like you. Also, keep up the good work with paleo. From the sounds of things, you are rocking it! Way to go! Please know, that I’m always here to help and offer support.
Aw, Jesse is so sweet! I love hearing about his reactions about me when I’m not present. It makes my heart happy! I agree, I think couples like us are becoming few and far between. We are both very blessed!
Yum! Way to go for making shredded pork on your own. Let the obsession begin! If you are ever in the Kansas City, you MUST try pulled pork from the best BBQ joint called Oklahoma Joes. It’ll change your life.
Thanks, Alissa! I’ll keep your recommendation in mind if I ever make my way through😉
Yum! We love pork so I will definitely be trying this!
I’m the same… I like bacon but a lot of pork dishes I don’t care for that much. Maybe it’s because I didn’t grow up eating much pork. On the other hand Joe grew up eating pork all the time so he is accustomed to the taste etc and will cook it every now and then. I’ll still eat it but it’s not my favourite! As for this recipe I think it sounds excellent and I’m pretty sure Joe would like it too.
I’ve packed the slow cooker away for now but hopefully once we’re settled in I’ll pull it out and make this🙂
Wow, you must be leaving very soon then? I know you’ll be blogging about it, but when is the official move date?
Ummmm 6th of Feb!😀
Wow, very soon!
I know! I think I’m only just realising how soon!
We had twin slow cookers this weekend!! My recipe is crazy similar to this and I loved mine so I’m sure this one is phenom also. Don’t you just love that the juice in the cooker makes it so you don’t even need to add a bbq or anything?? I made some anyways so it tastes different from day to day but I was definitely shocked with all the yummy jus!
Ha, nice Megan! Yep, you really don’t need much to make it taste good. I love the simplicity in that.
I bought all of the ingredients for this last night. I think I may dump a bottle of salsa in there with it while it cooks… we’ll see how that goes…
Salsa would taste great in there too! I actually thought about doing that, but didn’t have any on hand. Hope you enjoy it!
Looks and sounds YUM!
Thanks, it is YUM😉
🙂
That looks amazing!!!! I’ve just started using pork a little bit — thanks for sharing!
Thanks! I’m gradually learning to not fear pork so much, but I still don’t like the taste of cuts like pork chops. Bacon and shredded pork roasts work for me though!
Yum! I made this last night and enjoying a nice big bowl for lunch today. I subbed coconut milk instead of chicken broth because that’s all I had — and that worked too.
I love pork and love the slow cooker — so this is a winner for me!
Oh, that’s a great option! Yum, maybe I’ll try it that way next time. I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe🙂