My favorite meat this summer is this simple slow cooked pork shoulder. Its perfect as there is almost no work to it. In the oven the meat takes care of itself while I work in the garden, draw or just enjoy the sunshine (in the shade).
Rub about 1 kilo (enough to feed 4-6 people) with caraway seeds, salt & pepper. Mix together prunes, dark sugar, a little water and chili in a food processor (I use dried chilies such as ancho or pasilla, pre-soak in hot water until soft). Spread the paste all over the meat. Bake the meat at 125°C (just above 250°F). After 1 hour you can place onion wedges and whole cloves of garlic to the side of the meat. Add some water to the bottom of the pan so it doesn’t get stuck. Baste the meat now and again. After about 5-6 hours the meat is probably ready, it should feel soft and almost fall apart if you poke a fork in it. The onions by this time are gorgeously caramelized.
Slice or just pull the meat apart with a fork. Serve together with the caramelized onions, a tomato sauce*, salad and bread (such as homemade tunnbröd, soft Swedish flatbread).
* I make a simple sauce by roasting fresh tomatoes, garlic, onion and chili. Mix in a blender together with herbs, such as oregano or sage. Season with salt & pepper and a little sugar. See also Kinna Jonsson’s article about tomato sauce (in Swedish).
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Tried it….a bit bitter for my taste. I did not try the sauce. Perhaps it would have made it less so.
Hi Jen,
That is strange, I have never got it bitter. Did you take out the seeds in the ancho chili? The meat flavor should be more fruity and sweet.
Yep, I did. Being from Arizona I know my dried chiles. I think the next time I may use agave syrup.
Hi Jen,
I think it might have been the seeds that made it bitter. I always take them out (which I forgot to mention in the post) even if ancho is such a mild chili.
I like the idea of agave syrup. Should work with honey as well.
I did that too! Next time we will see.
I love this recipe. I have made it a few times and although I always add my own twist to it, ( I add a few garlic cloves and a half of onion ) making a paste using prunes is genius. I cook low and slow and make fresh corn tortillas to go with it . So good!!
Shala, So happy to hear you like this recipe and I love the fact you are adding your own twist to it. Thanks for sharing.