Comments on: Smoked Carnitas with Spicy Cabbage Slaw

By: The Mountain Kitchen

The Mountain Kitchen — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 12:40:33 +0000

Hi Chef Charles!
Thank you so much for the feedback. I love that you captured the drippings and put them back in the shredded pork. I also like how you let the pork speak for itself without overpowering it with the veggies. I’m glad you found something good to eat and are already planning on making it again. Awesome!

Kind regards,
Debbie Spivey

By: Chef Charles

Chef Charles — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 00:36:45 +0000

Made it!
YES, Most excellent!!! And I am very very picky.
Amazing flavor and reminds me of our local street carnitas in Dallas Tx.
I used soaked apple wood in my Southern Pride DH-65 smoker.

Deviation from written:
I pureed the remainder of the marinade in a blender then put all of it including the captured drippings back in the shredded pork as the pork will only absorb what it wants and the rest will drip off. It also will then stay moist in a chafing dish.

This reheats very well in the oven as long as you put the reclaimed fat back in the pork. Fat is where it’s at. It’s the fat that keeps the pork from drying out not water. If you use only water the pork will taste and feel dry when you eat it.
Didn’t reclaim the fat? Don’t fret, preferably use pork lard. If you cannot get that then use regular lard.

Next time I’m going for 200F to 210F to get the pork easier to shred and remove from the bone.
Personally I did not enjoy the slaw on the pork and served a basic fresh and bright pico de gallo with it on both style tortillas.
Use only a small amount of pico, slaw, or salsa to augment the awesome flavor of the pork.
We ate the slaw on the side as it too is flavorful and has a nice kick.

By: The Mountain Kitchen

The Mountain Kitchen — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 11:22:53 +0000

In reply to Angie | Fiesta Friday. Thanks, Angie! I'm sure this could be done in the oven, but wouldn't be as flavorful without the Applewood Smoke. :)

By: Angie | Fiesta Friday

Angie | Fiesta Friday — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 10:02:02 +0000

WOW!!! It sounds amazing!! We used to have a smoker, but didn’t use it much so it was donated. Now I wish it wasn’t hehe… This would be perfect for a fall party where you need to feed a crowd. Love it!

By: The Mountain Kitchen

The Mountain Kitchen — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 20:00:34 +0000

In reply to Natalie Browne. Thanks Natalie! They were pretty amazing!

By: Natalie Browne

Natalie Browne — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 17:56:53 +0000

I love everything about these carnitas. They look amazing!

By: The Mountain Kitchen

The Mountain Kitchen — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 21:47:47 +0000

In reply to Dana @ IveGotCake. Dana, I have some in the freezer. Come on down, I'll thaw it out for you! Have a good weekend!

By: The Mountain Kitchen

The Mountain Kitchen — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 21:46:37 +0000

In reply to judigraber. Thanks for sharing, Judi. No the oven is not the same but I would encourage it. This marinade is so flavorful, you won't be too disappointed! Happy FF!

By: The Mountain Kitchen

The Mountain Kitchen — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 19:36:53 +0000

In reply to Sarah. Thanks, Sarah. It's worth every bit of drool...lol! Have a great weekend!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 19:32:41 +0000

My mouth is literally watering! YUMMMMMMM!

By: judigraber

judigraber — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 18:58:22 +0000

That’s a good-looking shoulder roast with a nice crust on it. A long time ago we had a smoker but Gene did not have the patience for it, so it was back to regular grilling. He built a special smoker for my jalapenos (chipotles) and that’s about it. I guess you can always cook it in the oven but as you said it just doesn’t taste the same. Thanks for all the info and sharing with Fiesta Friday…

By: Dana @ IveGotCake

Dana @ IveGotCake — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 17:47:04 +0000

Ughhhhhh, you’re KILLING ME over here!!!

By: The Mountain Kitchen

The Mountain Kitchen — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 15:13:56 +0000

In reply to Frugal Hausfrau. Thank you Mollie. I am sure I will never be able to make this in the crock-pot or oven now... it really won't compare, will it?!? At least David likes to smoke things on the grill. Win-win! :)

By: The Mountain Kitchen

The Mountain Kitchen — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 15:11:42 +0000

In reply to Caroline. Thanks, Caroline. These were so good! Can't wait to defrost the leftovers!

By: Frugal Hausfrau

Frugal Hausfrau — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 14:16:59 +0000

Oh, my, gosh!! Debbie, this looks so amazing! There are sometimes I try to talk myself into thinking low and slow in the oven or perhaps in a crockpot is just as good as smoking – and it gets easier the longer it is between the times you have smoked pork. But then you see something like this – I swear I can almost taste your pics – and you’re brought back to earth and you just KNOW nothing can compare!! 🙂

By: Caroline

Caroline — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 14:15:01 +0000

What tasty sounding pork, between the marinade and the smoking – looks great!