Ingredients

  • 1 (5-pound) pork butt roast or shoulder roast
  • 6 large garlic cloves
  • 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon Emeril's Southwest Seasoning, recipe follows
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup olive oil plus 2 tablespoons
  • 1/2 cup shelled pumpkin seeds
  • 1/4 cup shelled pistachio nuts
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 2 poblano peppers
  • 1 medium onion, quartered
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
  • 1 tablespoon dark cane or corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 pound grated Monterey Jack or Mexican Queso Blanco
  • 20 medium corn tortillas, steamed and covered to keep warm
  • Cilantro sprigs, for garnish
  • Lime wedges, for serving

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
  • Using a sharp knife, make 6 incisions in the pork roast.
  • Stuff the garlic cloves in the incisions and pour the lime juice over the pork.
  • Marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes, turning occasionally.
  • Season pork with Southwest Seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  • Rub with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and place in a roasting pan; roast for 1 hour.
  • Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue to cook for 3 1/2 to 4 hours or until the meat is very tender.
  • Remove from oven and cool for 30 minutes.
  • Using 2 forks, pull the meat off the bones into small pieces and set aside.
  • Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F.
  • Place the nuts on a baking sheet and bake until toasted and brown, about 6 minutes.
  • Place the peppers and onions on a baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and bake until browned and slightly charred, about 25 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and peel, seed and chop the peppers.
  • In a food processor, combine the nuts, peppers, onions, chili powder, cinnamon, cumin, cocoa, tamarind paste, salt, dark cane syrup, and the vinegar.
  • Pulse until combined, stopping once to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  • With the machine running, add the remaining cup of oil in a slow steady drizzle until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  • Pour the nut mixture into a saucepan and whisk in the chicken stock and cream.
  • Bring the sauce up to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
  • Cook for 2 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and keep warm until ready to serve.
  • To build the tacos, place some the roasted pork in each tortilla.
  • Spoon some of the Mole Sauce over the pork.
  • Place some of the grated cheese on top of the sauce and garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.