Carnitas Soft Tacos with Guacamole and Pico de Gallo

• 3 pounds thick, meaty country style pork ribs, pork butt or pork shoulder
• 2 pounds lard, or enough to cover the meat
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 orange, zest removed with a vegetable peeler in wide strips
• 1 lime, zest removed with a vegetable peeler in wide strips
• 3 cloves garlic, unpeeled
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 12 soft corn tortillas
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Guacamole, accompaniment, recipe follows
• Emeril's Pico de Gallo, accompaniment, recipe follows
• 2 large, firm--ripe avocados, peeled, pitted and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1/4 cup minced white onions
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, or more to taste
• 1 teaspoon minced serrano chile
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Pinch cayenne
• 1 1/2 pounds plum tomatoes, cored, seeded and diced
• 3/4 cup finely chopped white onion
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons minced, seeded jalapeno or serrano chiles (about 2 medium)
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic clove
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Pinch cayenne

1. Trim most of the fat from the meat, leaving a thin layer.
2. Cut into 4-inch pieces.
3. In a large, heavy saucepan, melt the lard over medium-low heat.
4. When it has melted but is not yet very hot, add the pork, water, orange zest, lime zest, garlic, and salt.
5. Cook at a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally so that the meat evenly cooks, for about 2 hours, or until the meat is tender.
6. If the meat needs more time and all of the water has evaporated, add a bit more water and continue to cook until the meat is tender.
7. Once the meat is tender, raise the heat to medium-high.
8. (Don't panic if the lard comes to a rolling boil - this will diminish as the water evaporates and will become small bubbles.)
9. After the boiling lard changes to small bubbles, cook the meat for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until light golden brown and crispy all over.
10. Remove the meat with a slotted spoon or tongs and drain on paper towels.
11. Sprinkle with the salt.
12. When the meat has cooled slightly, pull the meat apart using 2 forks into shreds and smaller pieces and discard the bones.
13. To heat the tortillas, heat a medium skillet over low heat.
14. Place the oil in a small dish and before placing in the pan, brush both sides of each tortilla with 1/2 teaspoon of the oil.
15. Place the oiled tortilla in the skillet and cook until just warm and soft, 2 to 5 seconds per side.
16. Remove from the heat, place on a plate and cover with a cloth to keep warm until ready to serve.
17. To serve, make the tacos with the meat and warm tortillas, and garnish with the guacamole and pico de gallo.
18. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and mash with the back of a fork until mostly smooth with a few chunks.
19. Adjust the seasoning, to taste, and serve.
20. Yield: 4 to 6 servings (about 2 cups)
21. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir well.
22. Cover and allow to rest at room temperature for 1 hour for the flavors to blend.
23. Yield: about 3 cups

country style pork, lard, water, orange, lime, garlic, coarse salt, corn tortillas, vegetable oil, accompaniment, avocados, white onions, cilantro, lime juice, serrano chile, ground cumin, garlic, salt, cayenne, tomatoes, white onion, cilantro, lime juice, serrano chiles, garlic, salt, cayenne

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/carnitas-soft-tacos-with-guacamole-and-pico-de-gallo-recipe.html (may not work)