Chipotle Pork with Toasted Tortillas
courtesy of A Fork in the Trail

Dehydration Time: 7 to 12 hours
Serves 3 to 4

Preparing this dish in a slow cooker keeps the meat moist and tender. Do not use a picnic pork shoulder as it is too salty.

1 small onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
1 tablespoon chipotle pepper purée or 1/2 of a chipotle pepper chopped
14 ounces canned, crushed tomatoes
8 ounces canned, diced tomatoes, drained
1 pound boneless pork shoulder
6 to 8 Flour or corn tortillas
1” x 1” x 3” piece of Cheddar cheese (optional)

At Home: Mix all of the ingredients except the meat and place them in the crock of a slow cooker. Trim the pork shoulder of all visible fat and cut it into two pieces. Add the boneless pork shoulder to the slow cooker. Turn the pork in the cooker so that it becomes well coated with the sauce. Cook on high for six hours or until the meat is so tender that you can easily shred it. Don’t remove the lid until the cooking is complete. When the meat is cooked, use two forks to shred it. If any gristle or fat is still present, remove it. Return the shredded meat to the sauce and stir well. Taste to see if more seasoning is required, adding as necessary, and remove the bay leaf.

Measure the pork mixture and write this measurement on a sticky note. Spread the meal on lined dehydrator trays and dry it for 7 to 12 hours. Place the dried mix, along with the sticky note, in a ziplock freezer bag. If you are taking cheese, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the bag with the dried mix. Package the tortillas in a large ziplock freezer bag, separating them with sheets of parchment paper.

At Camp: Add enough boiling water to the pork mixture in a pan to equal the measurement on your sticky note. Be sure to account for and add your dried ingredients to the rehydration container prior to adding the water. You can always add more water if you need to. Allow it to rehydrate for 20 to 30 minutes or until fully hydrated. Once the mixture is reconstituted, heat it up on a stove, being careful not to burn it. Remove the mixture from the heat and cover it with a lid. Meanwhile, toast several tortillas. Place a generous scoop of the pork mixture on each plate. Garnish with the toasted tortillas and grated cheese as desired.

Tips: If you don’t have a slow cooker, simmer the ingredients in a heavy pot over low heat for 2 or 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

It is important to allow dried meat more time to come back. If your meat dish doesn’t rehydrate all the way soaking in boiling water, simmer it over medium heat for a few minutes.

© 2007 Laurie Ann March - from A Fork in the Trail
use without the author's written permission is prohibited.