This comforting Portuguese-inspired dish transforms humble pork shoulder into a tender, aromatic meal. The long marinade allows the acid from the lemon juice to tenderize the meat while infusing it with bold flavors of garlic, cumin, and crushed red pepper. As the pork simmers, it absorbs the savory depth of the reserved marinade and water, resulting in a juicy, flavorful braise. The addition of ripe olives at the end provides a salty, briny contrast that cuts through the richness of the meat. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a simple family gathering, this dish offers a wonderful balance of zesty brightness and hearty warmth. It is an easy, satisfying meal that brings authentic international flavors to your table without requiring complex techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.
Portuguese Pork With Lemon
Description
This comforting Portuguese-inspired dish transforms humble pork shoulder into a tender, aromatic meal. The long marinade allows the acid from the lemon juice to tenderize the meat while infusing it with bold flavors of garlic, cumin, and crushed red pepper. As the pork simmers, it absorbs the savory depth of the reserved marinade and water, resulting in a juicy, flavorful braise. The addition of ripe olives at the end provides a salty, briny contrast that cuts through the richness of the meat. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a simple family gathering, this dish offers a wonderful balance of zesty brightness and hearty warmth. It is an easy, satisfying meal that brings authentic international flavors to your table without requiring complex techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.Ingredients
Directions
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Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut the meat into 3/4-inch cubes.
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In a large bowl, combine the pork cubes, chopped garlic, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of oil, salt, cumin, and crushed red pepper.
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Toss the ingredients together until the pork is evenly coated with the marinade.
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Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure even flavor distribution.
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Remove the pork from the refrigerator and drain it, reserving the remaining marinade in a small bowl.
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Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
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Add the marinated pork to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until the liquid has evaporated and the pork is browned, about 25 minutes.
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Drain any excess fat from the skillet if necessary.
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Pour in the reserved marinade and the water.
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Cover the skillet and simmer gently until the pork is tender, about 30 minutes.
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Stir in the pitted ripe olives and cook for an additional 2 minutes to heat through.
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Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 619.5kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 39.3g61%
- Saturated Fat 12.5g63%
- Cholesterol 181.6mg61%
- Sodium 5016.1mg210%
- Total Carbohydrate 1.0g1%
- Dietary Fiber 0.1g1%
- Sugars 0.2g
- Protein 61.4g123%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
If the mixture becomes too dry during simmering, add more water as needed.
