Smoky BBQ Pulled Pork Bao

Good

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas mark 7. Remove the pork shoulder from the packaging. Place in an ovenproof dish along with the juices and cover loosely with foil. When the oven is hot, bake on the middle shelf for 25-30 mins.

Step 2

Meanwhile, chop the sweet potatoes lengthways into 1 cm slices, then chop into 1 cm wide fries (no need to peel). Pop the fries onto a large baking tray. Drizzle with oil, season with salt and pepper, sprinkle over the Central American style spice mix, then toss to coat. Spread out in a single layer. TIP: Use two baking trays if necessary. Roast on the top shelf until golden, 25-30 mins. Turn halfway through.

Step 3

While everything's in the oven, zest and halve the lime. Finely chop the chives (use scissors if easier). In a medium bowl, combine the lime zest, sugar, half the lime juice and half the mayonnaise. Add the sliced carrot and cabbage mix and half the chives to the bowl and toss to coat. Set aside.

Step 4

Once the pork is cooked, remove from the oven, discard the foil and any cooking juices. Use two forks to shred the pork as finely as you can. Add the chipotle paste (add less if you'd prefer things milder) and BBQ sauce to the pork. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine, then return to the oven to bake until sticky, 5 mins.

Step 5

When the fries have 5 mins left, remove then, sprinkle over the hard Italian style cheese and toss to coat. Pop them back into the oven for the remaining time. Meanwhile, place the bao buns on a plate, sprinkle with a little water and microwave, 800W: 1 min / 900W: 45 secs / 1000W: 30 secs. If you don't have a microwave, place the bao buns onto a baking tray. Bake in the middle shelf until warm and fluffy, 2-3 mins.7

Step 6

Transfer the warmed bao buns to your plates and spread the remaining mayo inside, then fill with the shredded pork. Sprinkle over the remaining chives to finish. Serve with the cheesy sweet potato fries and slaw alongside.