Pulled pork tacos with green apple and avocado salsa

One medium pork shoulder transformed into a deeply aromatic tray of saucy pulled pork is one of life’s great pleasures. These pulled pork tacos are a great way to entertain – serve smaller ones as canapé’s or starters, or larger ones as main meals. Serve with a chilled bottle of Spier MCC Brut.

Ingredients

For the pulled pork

• 1 kg boneless pork shoulder (or about 1,3 kg on the bone)
• 1 x 340 ml lager beer
• 15 ml brown sugar
• 10 ml ground paprika (not smoked)
• 5 ml ground cumin
• 5 ml dried origanum
• 60 ml (1/4 cup) apple cider vinegar
• 60 ml (1/4 cup) ketchup (tomato sauce)
• 125 ml (1/2 cup) good quality BBQ sauce
• 30 ml (2 tablespoons) Dijon mustard
• 30 ml (2 tablespoons) Worcestershire sauce
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 160 °C. Place the pork in a deep cast iron pot or roasting tray that will fit it relatively snugly (it will shrink a little). In a large mixing jug, add the beer, sugar, paprika, cumin, origanum, vinegar, ketchup, BBQ sauce, mustard, Worcester sauce and a generous seasoning of salt & pepper.
2. Mix well, then pour over the pork. Cover with a lid, then roast for 3 hours or until very tender.
3. Remove from the oven, then use 2 forks to pull apart.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Set aside, covered, until ready to serve.

For the salsa

• 1-2 Granny Smith green apples, finely diced
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 1-2 large ripe avocados, skin & pit removed, diced
• Generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice
• Handful fresh coriander leaves, roughly chopped
• Salt & black pepper, to taste
• Mix everything together in a medium bowl and serve at once, with the pulled pork & mayonnaise on tacos.

For serving

• 6-12 medium size hard or soft tacos (corn or flour)
• Good quality mayonnaise
• Fresh coriander leaves
• Lemon wedges
• Arrange some mayo, salsa and pulled pork on each taco, then sprinkle with fresh coriander and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Serve at once.

About the wine: Spier MCC Brut

A vibrant light straw colour. The wine’s fresh, clean nose offers apples and biscuits. A balanced mouthfeel, good acidity and exuberant bubbles culminate in a lively aftertaste.