Step 1

Purée sauce ingredients in blender: Purée all of the sauce ingredients (everything except the bay leaf, the pork and the buns) in a blender until smooth.If you have extra time, marinate the pork in the sauce overnight or for several hours before cooking.

Step 2

Simmer pork: Put sauce, bay leaf, and pork into a large pot and add 1 quart of water. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook, covered, turning frequently, for 2 hours or until the meat pulls apart easily with a fork.

Step 3

Shred the pork: Remove from heat and cool pork in the sauce. When cool enough to touch, remove the pork from the sauce and shred into small pieces. Set aside.

Step 4

Reduce sauce, return pork to sauce: Put the sauce back on the stove and bring it to a low boil. Let the sauce boil down until it has been reduced by two thirds. Add the pork back to the sauce. Salt to taste.

Step 5

Serve: Remove the bay leaf before serving. Serve the pork hot over open-face hamburger buns.