Calabrian chilli pulled pork

Method

• step 1

  Carefully remove the outer rind of the pork shoulder leaving a good layer of fat for flavour, then score the top with a sharp knife in a cross-hatch. Next, carefully cut the pork horizontally through the middle – your butcher can do this step for you, if you prefer.

• step 2

  Add the chilli paste, fennel seeds, salt, sugar, garlic cloves, vinegar, anchovies and 1 tsp of crushed black peppercorns to a grinder and whizz to a thick red paste.

• step 3

  Using disposable gloves, rub half of the paste all over the bottom half of the pork shoulder, then put the top half on top. Smother the scored fat and outside of the pork shoulder with the remaining paste, put in a deep baking tray, cover with foil and leave in the fridge for at least 4-6 hrs, ideally overnight.

• step 4

  Heat the oven to 205C/185C fan/gas 6. Pour the cider or apple juice into the baking tray, cover tightly with foil and cook for 2 hrs. Remove from the oven, skim off any excess fat, turn the pork shoulder onto its side and baste with the juices from the pan. Reduce the oven to 160C/ 140C fan/gas 3. Top up with more cider or apple juice if dry, cover with foil again and cook for another 1 hr 30 mins, checking regularly to ensure it doesn’t dry out. Skim off the excess fat again, baste with juices from the tray, increase the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and finish cooking, uncovered, for 10 mins. Remove from oven, leave to rest for 15 mins, shred with a fork and serve with brioche buns and salad, if you like.