Roasted Pork and Tasso Gumbo
 
 
Makes 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 (4-pound) boneless Boston butt, untrimmed
  • 3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt, divided
  • 2 tablespoons ground black pepper, divided
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 10 ounces tasso, chopped
  • 1 cup brown Stovetop Roux (recipe follows)
  • 1 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1 cup chopped green onion
  • 1 cup chopped seeded poblano pepper
  • 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • ¼ cup chopped seeded jalapeño
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 (32-ounce) carton chicken broth
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans chopped tomatoes
  • 2 dried chile peppers
  • ¼ cup prepared mole sauce
  • 3 bay leaves
  • Hot cooked brown jasmine rice, to serve
  • Garnish: chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400°.
  2. Rub pork butt with 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 tablespoon black pepper. Place, fat side up, in a roasting pan; cover tightly with foil.
  3. Bake for 45 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300°, and bake for 5 hours more. Let cool completely. Using a fork, shred meat.
  4. In a large Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add tasso, and cook, stirring frequently, until browned. Remove tasso using a slotted spoon, and let drain on paper towels.
  5. In same pot, heat Stovetop Roux over medium heat, stirring constantly, until simmering. Add all onions, poblano, bell pepper, celery, jalapeño, and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add broth, tomatoes, dried peppers, mole, bay leaves, remaining 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, remaining 1 tablespoon salt, and remaining 1 tablespoon black pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve over rice. Garnish with cilantro, if desired.
Notes
Kitchen Tip:
Tasso is spicy, smoked pork butt that is common throughout south Louisiana. If it’s not available at your local market, coat smoked ham with some Cajun seasoning, or order it online at cajungrocer.com.
Recipe by Southern Cast Iron at https://southerncastiron.com/roasted-pork-tasso-gumbo/