Goan Pork Vindaloo

Disregard vindaloo's reputation for extreme heat. The original Goan vindaloo—tender, juicy pork in a thick, tangy sauce that's aromatic with spices—is milder and more nuanced.

YIELD 8

TIME 2½ hours

Gather Your Ingredients

Key Equipment

Key Equipment - The Best Dutch Ovens
Key Equipment - The Best Chef’s Knives for $75 or Less

Before You Begin

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Kashmiri chile powder should have a brilliant red hue, a fruity flavor, and a slightly tannic edge, but very little heat. If you can’t find it, stem and seed 1 ounce of guajillo chiles (about 4 large chiles) and tear them into 1-inch pieces; place in a bowl, cover with ¾ cup boiling water, and let sit until softened, about 10 minutes. Add soaked chiles, their liquid, and 2 teaspoons black tea leaves (for tannic flavor) to the blender in step 1 (omit ¾ cup water). Cider vinegar can be used in place of the coconut vinegar. Pork butt roast is often labeled Boston butt. Goan vindaloo is not very spicy, but if you prefer more heat, add up to ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Serve with white rice, naan, or Goan pao.

Instructions

1.

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Process water; ginger; garlic; chile powder; paprika; cumin; salt; pepper; cayenne, if using; cinnamon; cardamom; cloves; and nutmeg in blender on low speed until rough paste forms, about 1 minute. Scrape down sides and blend on high speed until paste is smooth, about 1 minute. Place pork in large bowl. Add spice paste and mix thoroughly.

2.

Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and golden, 7 to 9 minutes. Add pork mixture and stir to combine. Spread mixture into even layer. Continue to cook until mixture begins to bubble, about 2 minutes longer. Cover pot, transfer to oven, and cook for 40 minutes. Stir in vinegar. Cover, preturn pot to oven, and cook for 20 minutes. Uncover and cook until fork inserted into pork meets little or no resistance, 20 to 30 minutes longer. Let stand, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Stir and serve. (Pork can be cooked up to 3 days in advance.)

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