Slow-cooked pork with fresh herb tomatillo sauce

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Nb persons: 6
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May 14, 2008 Total time: 2 hours, 40 minutes Note: From test kitchen director Donna Deane.
2 pounds	boneless pork butt
2 to 3	slivered garlic cloves, plus 1 minced garlic clove, divided
1/2 teaspoon	salt
1/8 teaspoon	black pepper
2 tablespoons	oil
1 cup	chopped onion
1/2 small	serrano chile, seeded and minced
1 pound	tomatillos, husks removed and coarsely chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups	chicken broth
2 teaspoons	grated orange zest
2 teaspoons	fresh oregano, divided
1 tablespoon	chopped basil
1 tablespoon	chopped mint
1 teaspoon	lime juice
	Black pepper

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Use a small sharp knife to make small 1-inch deep cuts all over the surface of the pork, and push one sliver of garlic into each slit. Season the pork with salt and pepper, rubbing the seasonings all over the meat.

2. In a large, heavy oven-proof casserole, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork and sear on all sides to a rich brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the pork to a plate and set aside.

3. Add the onion to the casserole and reduce the heat to medium. Sauté the onion until tender, 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the minced garlic, the serrano chile and the tomatillos and continue to sauté until the tomatillos are tender, about 5 minutes.

4. Add the chicken broth to deglaze the pan. Stir in the orange peel and 1 teaspoon of the oregano. Nestle the roast back with the vegetables and spoon some of the juices over the meat. Cover and roast 2 hours, until the pork is tender (it will pull apart easily). Remove the casserole from the oven.

5. Carefully lift the meat out of the casserole onto a carving board. Stir the basil, mint, remaining oregano, lime juice and a few grinds of black pepper into the sauce. Use a fork to break the meat apart into bite size pieces. Divide the pork evenly among six plates and spoon the tomatillo sauce evenly over the portions. Serve with grilled tortillas and/or rice.

Each serving: 323 calories; 27 grams protein; 8 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams fiber; 21 grams fat; 6 grams saturated fat; 90 mg. cholesterol; 385 mg. sodium.

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