Pork Stew

Directions

1. 1
   To fire-roast the peppers, the tomatoes and the onion, place them directly onto the burners of your gas stove (no oil), and with a medium flame, allow the flames to char the skins, turning the vegetables every few minutes with tongs, for roughly 10-15 minutes (you can also use a grill or grill pan and grilling them until the skins are completely charred).
2. 2
   Once vegetables are charred, place them into a big bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow them to steam for about 20 minutes; after 20 minutes, pull the skins from all of the vegetables, including the outer, charred layer of the onion, and remove the seeds/membranes and core/stem from peppers, and give everything a rough chop, keeping the peppers and onions separate from the tomatoes; set aside for a moment.
3. 3
   In a small ramekin, combine the sea salt, cracked black pepper, cumin, smoked paprika and red chili flakes with a fork, and set aside for a moment; this will be your “seasoning mix”.
4. 4
   Place the pork shoulder chunks into a small bowl, and add about half of the seasoning mix from the ramekin to the pork; add the flour next, and toss all the ingredients well, to coat all the pieces.
5. 5
   Place a heavy bottom pot (or braising pot) over high heat, and add about 2 tablespoons of olive oil; once the oil gets hot, add the pork pieces into the oil, and allow the meat to sear and caramelize until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side; once browned, remove the meat from the pot, and set aside for a moment.
6. 6
   Next, add a drizzle more olive oil to the pot, and add in the chopped peppers and onions, along with the remaining half of the seasoning mix from the ramekin, as well as the garlic, and stir to combine and allow to lightly caramelize for a minute or two.
7. 7
   Then, if using the tequila, deglaze the bottom of the pot by carefully adding in the tequila (keep it away from the flames), and allow it to reduce for about a minute, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot with your spoon.
8. 8
   Once slightly reduced, add in the chopped fire-roasted tomatoes, as well as the browned pork pieces with their juice, and add in the hot chicken stock and stir to combine; cover and gently simmer the stew for 2 – 2 1/2 hours hours, or until the meat is fork tender; use a fork the shred/break the meat up into the sauce a little bit, leaving some bigger chunks for texture.
9. 9
   To finish the stew, add in 2 tablespoons of the chopped cilantro, the lime zest and lime juice, and stir; serve the stew over the roasted potatoes or rice, and garnish with a sprinkle of the remaining 1 tablespoon of the chopped cilantro.