June 6, 2018
This week I wanted to share with you a recipe that’s so good I have made it twice already on my Whole30 diet. I made it with my partner on the first weekend, and in true Ella fashion went completely off recipe and ended up with not only a delicious dinner, but no joke the best pulled pork I’ve ever made in my life. This is not a drill, this pulled pork is seriously the best pulled pork I’ve ever made, and definitely the best healthy pulled pork I’ve ever eaten. I was a little nervous about recreating it because I went so off book and I was concerned I wouldn’t remember the recipe, but luckily I was able to replicate it and this time I wrote down what I put in so I could share it with you all, and also immortalise the recipe forever because I think I’ll be making this again for years to come.
I find whenever I make something I really love, I tend to have forgotten to take photos or write the recipe down. I don’t know why this is…maybe because I’m not worrying about the recipe and just cooking up a storm instead I end up with something extra delicious, but whatever it is I am so glad I was able to remake this. My partner said that this is definitely his favourite meal we’ve had on Whole30, and this is a big call because he’s really been enjoying the cooking. But I tend to agree with him because a. it makes a lot of leftovers for the week b. it isn’t too difficult to make and c. it is just so delicious!
Going into Whole30 (it is my last full week this week) I was concerned that I would be hungry all the time, moody and just generally I couldn’t imagine my life without wine for a week, let alone 4! I’ve been surprised throughout just how easy it is to eat this diet, and not feel like you’re missing out! Sure, it gives me mild anxiety going out to a cafe because I have to be that person who alters the menu, or doesn’t eat at all, but when I’m cooking at home I’ve been so impressed by how delicious the food is, and how fulfilling cooking this way is. The cooking relies on what beautiful ingredients you have on hand, and it has amazed me throughout just how delicious you can make the food with really simple ingredients (and a lot of herbs and spices). I’ve even been amazed by how easy it has been to give up wine when I really put my mind to it. I seriously thought I wouldn’t be able to, but over the time it’s become easier and easier and now I don’t even miss it (not that I’m giving up, come next week I’ll definitely be having a glass to celebrate). This diet has really taught me a lot about cooking, about my body and how it reacts to food, and also my resolve. I’d definitely recommend this diet to everyone to try, just for 30 days to see how it makes you feel. It really isn’t a fad diet and I’ll definitely be taking a lot of the cooking practices on when I finish.
Anyway enough about plugging Whole30! Back to what we came here for: the best pulled pork of my life! I mean it is no American pulled pork full of BBQ sauce, but it is so flavoursome and juicy that I don’t think you’ll even miss it! My partner was quite skeptical when we first made it because there wasn’t any sauce (I have to admit I was a little too as I thought it couldn’t possibly be good without tomatoes and other spices). But we stuck at it and with my additions to the recipe we made pork magic! This meal is seriously good, and it will leave you wanting more (which must be why we’ve made it twice already in the space of the 30 days).
- 2 kilograms of pork collar butt/shoulder cut into 12 or so chunks
- salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 brown onion diced
- 4 cloves of garlic minced
- 2 cups of water
- 2 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp Mexican chilli powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
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Preheat the oven to 180C (350F).
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Season the pork collar butt with salt and pepper on both sides, and heat the tablespoon of olive oil over a medium-high heat in a fry pan. Place the pork in the fry pan, cooking in batches, until all the pork is seared and browned on all sides. Once the pork pieces are cooked set them aside in a large baking tray.
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Maintaining the fry pan on the heat, add the diced onion and cook until translucent, 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic to the pan and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
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Add the water to the pan along with the cumin, Mexican chilli powder, oregano, smoked paprika and cinnamon and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then pour over the pork in the baking dish.
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Cover the baking dish with alfoil tightly and place in the oven for 2 1/2 - 3 hours. Ensure you pull the pork out every hour and turn the meat pieces to ensure even cooking on all sides. The pork should fall apart when done.
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Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before getting two forks and pulling the pork, discarding any excess fat. Stir to incorporate the pork into the juices from the pan.
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Serve with a fresh salad, avocado and sweet potato.
Although it requires the oven and a bit more effort than popping this in the slow cooker, I highly recommend avoiding the slow cooker for this one. The oven gives the pork a crunchy crust as long as you are turning it frequently, and this results in the most amazing texture in the pork. I was a little skeptical about cutting up the pork collar butt but definitely don’t miss this step because it allows the pork to cook more quickly and also means that it gets more flavour from the juices and spices. I definitely will be cooking all my pulled pork this way now, it is well worth the extra effort!
This meal is actually quite healthy, especially when you pop it with a nice fresh salad. It also makes for great leftovers as you can pop it with any salad, or even in eggs for breakfast! I didn’t try this myself but I have seen it done. I myself love having a whole heap of pulled pork in the fridge for the week ready to go for a quick weeknight meal that you can reheat and go! Who doesn’t love being able to walk in the door and only have to prepare a salad?
I will definitely be cooking this recipe again and long after I finish Whole30. What I love about the food on it is that you don’t feel like you’re on a diet because you are eating real food that is absolutely delicious! This pork is juicy, full of flavour and absolutely incredible! What more could you want?
Until next time, happy eating!
Ella xx
