To start your Monday off here are a few photos of my grandson’s opening day on the ball field. It was a very fun and exciting first day.
Next, I would like to dedicate Mondays as ‘Fast and Easy Recipe Day’. I love to cook and try new recipes, but during the week when things are so busy cooking is the last thing on my mind. I wanted to share some of my quick recipes hoping to make your life just a little easier. To start off this first time Monday post I am making:
Carnitas
Thank you Rick Bayless!
Two questions: What is Carnitas? &, who is Rick Bayless?
Carnitas is a Mexican dish of pork that has been simmered (cooked) until the meat is tender and falling off
the bone. Then you add your sides.
For those who have not heard of Rick; he is a wonderful chef who specializes in Mexican cuisine. He has 3 restaurants and has written 8 cookbooks (of which I have them all). Adding to his list of accomplishments Rick has sauces and salsas out on the market (named for Frontera Grill, one of his restaurants in Chicago). I am talking about Rick because this recipe uses one of the sauces that he has in the market (Whole Foods).
This is one of the easiest recipes to make; and depending on the size of your family; you could get 2 to 3 meals out of this. And it does take a little planning – if the meat is frozen it must thawed out.
Carnitas (Rick Bayless Recipe)
Shopping list:
Pork roast (bone-in)
(I get a 4 to 5 lb. roast so that I have left-overs to make 2 or 3 different meals)
2 pouches Rick Bayless Frontera Carnitas Slow Cook Sauce
(if the roast is 3 lbs. you only need one pouch)
Condiments to build the Carnitas (this is totally up to you):
*tortillas
*Shredded lettuce
*Queso cheese
*Avocado (sliced or to make guacamole)
*Tomatoes (diced)
*Rice (Jasmine white or brown) cooked according
to package directions
After the rice is made stir in:
1 Tbl. of butter
Seasoning to taste (I use Goya: Sazonador Total)
Preparing the meat:
1. Place the roast in the crock pot
2. Take the Carnitas Sauce and pour over the top
3. Turn crock pot to (high: about 6 hrs. or until meat
is tender; or, low: for about 8 hrs.)
4. When done take out of crock pot and shred the meat
5. Skim fat off the sauce and use to drizzle on the meat
6. Prepare your sides (this can be done way ahead of time)
To prepare:
1. Take a warm tortilla
2. Place some of the shredded meat on the tortilla
3. Then place whatever condiments you want on top
If you have meat leftover:
*use to make a Cuban sandwich – hoagie bun, meat,
tomatoes, lettuce, avocado slices and the spread
for the bun
recipe for the spread:
¼ cup of mayonnaise
1 1/2 tbl. of Dijon mustard
¼ tsp. of cumin
1/8 tsp. dried oregano
Wisk together and spread on the hoagie bun
*add your favorite barbeque sauce to the meat for
A great bbq sandwich – sides of a veggie salad,
baked sweet potato fries
I hope you will try this fast and easy meal. If really is wonderful. And try some of the other sauces Rick has in the market. They are all great! (this is my opinion and I have tried them all)
Have a Great Monday!
Blessings!
Lemongrass and Green Tea 
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