Mexican Pulled Pork (Tinga Pueblana)
3 medium or 2 large
russet potatoes to equal about a pound, peeled and diced
1 (2 to 3-pound) pork
loin
1/2 yellow onion,
whole, plus 1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves,
smashed
2 bay leaves
12 ounces raw
chorizo, casing removed and crumbled
1 (28-ounce) can
diced tomatoes
2 canned chipotle
chiles in adobo, finely chopped (seeded and ribbed for less heat)
2 tablespoons apple
cider vinegar
1 teaspoon dried
thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried
marjoram
Salt
For serving:
16 corn or flour
tortillas
Lime wedges
1 avocado, halved,
pitted, peeled and sliced
1 cup fresh cilantro
leaves
Place the potatoes in
a large pot of cold water. Add the salt, bring to a boil and cook until tender,
20 minutes. Drain the potatoes and set aside.
Place the pork in a
large pot of cold water. Add the onion half, the garlic, and the bay leaves.
Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low. Simmer gently until the pork is
cooked through and is no longer pink in the center, about 45 minutes. Remove
the pork from the water and set it aside until it is cool enough to handle
(discard the cooking liquid). Using your fingers or 2 forks, shred the meat
into small pieces and set aside.
In a large skillet
over medium-high heat, saute crumbled chorizo until completely cooked through,
8 to 10 minutes, stirring often. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chorizo to
a paper towel lined plate. Add the chopped onions to the chorizo skillet and cook
until soft, about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the shredded pork,
the tomatoes, and the chipotle chiles. Cook until the tomatoes break down and
release their juices, about 5 minutes. Return the potatoes and cooked chorizo
to the pan. Stir in the vinegar, thyme, marjoram and salt, to taste. Continue
to cook over medium heat until some of the liquid has evaporated, about 5
minutes.
While the pork cooks,
heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tortilla and warm for 10 to
15 seconds. Flip the tortilla over and continue to warm until the tortilla is
pliable and heated through, another 10 to 20 seconds. Place warm tortillas in a
tortilla warmer or on a plate, cover with a kitchen towel, and set aside;
repeat with the remaining tortillas (or warm the tortillas in the microwave:
stack them on a plate and cover with a damp cloth; microwave for 30 seconds and
keep them covered until you're ready to serve).
To Serve:
Place the pulled pork
in a serving bowl or bring to the table in the cooking pot. Arrange the limes,
avocado, and cilantro on a platter. Pass warm tortillas so each diner can fill
a tortilla with some of the meat and accompaniments. Squeeze lime juice over
each serving.