All about Mexican...

I don't think I know a single person who does not love Mexican food...What's not to love? There are so many different/delish dishes and one of them is carnitas, which just so happens to be my husbands favorite.Carnitas is braised or roasted pork. It is so juicy and tender on the inside with a nice crunchy outside that is so so so good. You can eat them alone or as a taco with diced onion and fresh cilantro i.e carnita tacos...and we all know how much we love tacos over here....Last Sunday Matt and I spent a better part of the day cooking up this delicious Mexican feast. Homemade tortillas and all!!!

Carnitas

1 4-5 lb pork butt

2 tablespoons kosher salt

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 cup chicken stock

2 tablespoons lard, yes lard...i suppose vegetable shortening would do ;)

4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

2 bay leaves

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon oregano

pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cut the pork into 4-6 inch chunks and season heavily with kosher salt. 

In a dutch oven or large heavy pan, heat oil over high heat. 

Brown the pork on all sides. If you cannot fit the meat in a single layer all at once, brown in batches. Approx 5 minutes on each side.

Set meat aside on a paper towel lined plate to drain excess grease.

Next, add the chicken stock, garlic cloves, bay leaves, chili powder, ground cumin and pepper to the hot pan. Scrape the bottom of the pan the particles on the bottom and simmer for a few minutes. Add the lard and cook down.

Return the meat to the pan and cover with water until meat is covered about 2/3.

Place pan/pot back in the oven and cook for 3 hours.

Remove from oven and let cool. 

When cool enough to touch, break up meat into chunks or shred, however you prefer.

Place back in the oven to brown and crisp to your likeness. About 10 minutes.

Serve with fresh corn tortillas.

Top with chopped cilantro, onions.

Printable Recipe!

In the words of Charlie Sheen...WINNING!!!

Ridiculously Delish!!!

Corn Tortillas

2 cups corn masa flour, I use Maseca

1 1/4 cup water

1/4 tsp salt

tortilla press

two pieces of plastic wrap

Combine all ingredients into a bowl and knead for two minutes to form a soft dough. 

If dough feels dry, add a spoonful of water at a time. 

Roll into little two inch balls and cover with moist towel.

Heat a small non stick pan or flat griddle over med/high heat. 

Place a piece of plastic wrap on the bottom of the press, place a dough ball on it, cover with the other piece of plastic wrap and press down hard. 

Carefully place the tortilla on the hot pan and cook for 50-60 seconds on each side.

I got this recipe right off the Maseca bag and it makes 16-18 tortillas.

Printable Recipe!

Finito!!!

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