The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science

(Nandana) #1

SERVES 8 TO 12


1 whole bone-in, skin-on pork shoulder, 8 to 12 pounds
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper




  1.  Adjust  an  oven    rack    to  the middle  position    and preheat

    the oven to 250°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with
    heavy-duty aluminum foil (see Note above) and set a
    wire rack in it. Lay a piece of parchment paper on top of
    the rack. Season the pork liberally on all sides with salt
    and pepper and place on the parchment paper. Roast until
    a knife or fork inserted into the side of the shoulder
    shows very little resistance when twisted, about 8 hours.



  2. Remove the pork from the oven, tent with foil, and let
    rest at room temperature for at least 15 minutes, and up to
    2 hours.

  3. Meanwhile, increase the oven temperature to 500°F and
    allow to preheat. Return the pork to the oven and roast,
    rotating the pan every 5 minutes, until the skin is
    blistered and puffed, about 20 minutes. Remove from the
    oven, tent with foil, and allow to rest for an additional 15
    minutes.

  4. Serve by picking the meat in the kitchen or just bring the
    whole thing to the table and let guests pick the meat and
    crispy skin themselves, dipping it into the sauce of their
    choice (see Note above).

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