Lechon Asado aka Roast Pig (Pork)

 I guess it seems that we are on a Latin roll here and I would certainly have to agree with you. As I have said before, I especially, love my ethnic foods. This one received a grand review from Michael. I have made this many times before and I don't know why, this time he really enjoyed it. It must have been that in the past I have probably used dried oregano, where as this time I used fresh oregano from our garden. And I have to tell you that the leftovers (and you will most definately want leftovers) make the most wonderful pressed Cuban Sandwiches in the world. I know because I have bought the sliced pork in the grocery store deli and it does not compare. 

  I made the recipe given by Mr. Mark Bittman in his Best Recipes in the World Cookbook. Yes, it's Mark Bittman once a week for the next 6 months over at I Heart Cooking Clubs . This week was all about Herbs.

8 simple ingredients. Pork shoulder, garlic, fresh oregano, ground cumin, salt, pepper, onion, and lemon juice. No I did not want to run to the store for fresh lemons even though I knew I should. Maybe next time. I did add a nineth ingredient, freshly squeezed clementine juice. No, I can not find fresh sour oranges up here, which would also have been preferable.

Mix, rub, and marinate for up to 24 hours.
Mine was for 6 hours.

Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees. Set on roasting rack and roast for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and cook an additional 1 to 2 hours (depending on the size of your roast), or until meat thermometer registers 150 degrees.

Sliced remaining meat for shredded sandwiches.

Muy Bueno!

Lechon Asado

Adapted from Mar Bittman's Best Recipes in the Worls

Ingredients

2 tablespoons minced fresh oregano leaves

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 tablespoon salt (kosher)

1 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper

1 3-pound pork shoulder roast

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup sour orange juice (I used fresh squeezed clementine juice)

1 large onion

lemon wedges for serving

Directions

Combine first 6 ingredients. Use a sharp knife to poke some holes all over the meat and insert small amounts of the garlic rub into them. Combine the remaining rub with the orange/lemon juice and onion and rub all over the exterior of the roast; if time allows wrap in plastic or place in a resealable bag and refigerate for 24 hours. If not, proceed.

When you are ready to cook, preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Put the pork on a rack in a roasting pan and put in the oven. Roast for 20 minutes, or until pork begins to brown, then lower the heat to 350 degrees and add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the pan. Continue to roast, basting the pork with the pan juices and adding water to the bottom of the pan if it threatens to dry out, for about 2 hours, or until the interior temperature of the pork reaches 150 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

Remove the pork and let it rest. (You can prepare the dish up to this point in advance, let sit for a few hours, or cover and refrigerate for up to a day. Make the sauce and refrigerate it separately; reheat before serving.) Add more water to the bottom of the panif necessary and cook over high heat, stirring and scraping to incorporate any browned bits of meat that may be stuck to the bottom. Carve the pork, spoon a little of this pan juice over it, and serve with the lemon wedges.

Serves 6

If you have never made this, you must give it a try at least once. Also, don't forget about saving some for sandwiches the next day.

Michael and Carla