Italian-Style Pulled Pork

Indulge your senses with the exquisite flavors of Italian cuisine in the form of Italian-Style Pulled Pork. This delectable recipe takes the humble pork shoulder to new heights, infusing it with a harmonious blend of Italian seasonings, aromatic garlic, and zesty hot paprika. With a marinating time of just 3 hours and a total preparation time of about 55 minutes, this dish is perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. Get ready to savor the mouthwatering combination of succulent pulled pork and the vibrant essence of Italian flavors.

Ingredients and Preparations:

For the Italian-Style Pulled Pork:

• 2 pounds boneless pork shoulder
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning mix
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2 garlic cloves, pressed
• Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon hot paprika

Marinating the Pork Shoulder:

1. Embark on your culinary journey by assembling the key ingredients for Italian-Style Pulled Pork. Your star ingredient is a 2-pound boneless pork shoulder, chosen for its juicy tenderness.
2. Create a symphony of flavors by combining the Italian seasoning mix, cumin seeds, pressed garlic, sea salt, ground black pepper, and hot paprika. Allow these ingredients to infuse their essence into the pork shoulder by marinating it in a ceramic or glass bowl for a minimum of 3 hours.

Cooking the Italian-Style Pulled Pork:

1. As the flavors meld together during the marinating process, it’s time to bring your culinary creation to life. Select the “Air Fry” function on your appliance and adjust the temperature to 360 degrees F. Press the “Start” key to initiate the cooking process.
2. Place a sheet of aluminum foil onto the drip pan to simplify the cleanup process and prevent any mess.
3. Once the air fryer prompts “Add Food,” carefully place the marinated pork shoulder on the air fryer oven perforated pan. Remember to preserve the marinade—it holds the key to enhancing the flavors of your dish.
4. Allow the pork to cook for approximately 25 minutes, and as the aromas envelop your senses, anticipation will grow.
5. To intensify the flavors, baste the pork with the reserved marinade. Continue roasting for an additional 25 minutes, or until the pork reaches a level of tenderness that allows it to be effortlessly shredded.
6. Embrace the final step in creating your Italian-inspired masterpiece. Using two forks, artfully shred the pork into succulent, bite-sized pieces, showcasing the tenderness that the marinade and roasting process have imparted.

Nutritional Information Per Serving:

• Calories: 346
• Fat: 22.5g
• Carbs: 1.4g
• Protein: 31.8g
• Sugars: 0.3g
• Fiber: 0.3g

Tips for Culinary Excellence:

• For a vibrant visual presentation, consider garnishing your Italian-Style Pulled Pork with fresh herbs such as basil or parsley.
• Serve this pulled pork as a filling for sandwiches, atop salads, or even alongside roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Italian-Style Pulled Pork encapsulates the essence of Italian cuisine in every bite. With a marinating process that infuses the meat with a medley of flavors and an air frying method that ensures succulent tenderness, this dish is a testament to the magic of culinary fusion. Whether enjoyed on a casual weeknight or presented as a show-stopping dish at gatherings, this pulled pork is bound to delight the palate and evoke the spirit of Italy in every mouthful.