Deep-Fried Pork: Fritto di Arista

• 1 (2 1/2-pound) boneless pork shoulder, trimmed of excess fat
• 1 tablespoon plus 3/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
• 1 tablespoon red chile flakes
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 onions, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup peeled and thinly sliced ginger
• 3 bay leaves
• 5 oranges, cut into 5 slices each
• 2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup anise-flavored liquor, like Sambuca
• 2 quarts extra-virgin olive oil, for frying

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
2. Season the pork with 1 tablespoon each of salt, black pepper and red chile flakes.
3. Place the meat in a roasting pan with the onions, ginger and bay leaves and roast in the oven for 30 minutes, until the onions are soft.
4. Add water to cover and roast 2 1/2 hours, until the meat is very tender.
5. Remove from the oven and set aside, keeping the meat in the braising liquid.
6. Reduce the oven's heat to 275 degrees F.
7. Meanwhile, lay the orange slices out in a single layer in a shallow casserole.
8. In a large bowl, combine the orange juice, water, honey and sambuca and whisk to combine.
9. Pour the mixture over the oranges, cover with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil and bake 2 hours.
10. Uncover, increase the oven's heat to 375-degrees F and cook for 1 hour, until the tops of the oranges are caramelized.
11. Reserve the liquid and set aside.
12. Place the oranges on a clean sheet pan to cool Place the pork braising liquid in a 12 to 14-inch saute pan and cook over high heat until reduced by half.
13. Add half of the orange cooking liquid, cook a few minutes and season with salt and pepper.
14. Portion the meat into 6 pieces and return to the braising liquid.
15. Cook over medium heat until warmed through.
16. Meanwhile, in a tall-sided pot, heat the olive oil to 360-degrees F. Working 1 or 2 pieces at a time, pat the meat dry and deep-fry in the oil for 20 to 30 seconds, until crisp.
17. Remove with a slotted spoon, let drain briefly on a paper towel then serve on warmed dinner plates with the sauce spooned over and the caramelized oranges on the side.

pork shoulder, salt, freshly ground black pepper, red chile flakes, honey, onions, ginger, bay leaves, oranges, freshly squeezed orange juice, water, honey, aniseflavored liquor, extravirgin olive oil

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mario-batali/deep-fried-pork-fritto-di-arista-recipe.html (may not work)