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Carnitas
Carnitas
I was asked a few weeks ago if I had a carnitas recipe. I go to my site and realize that I don’t; which is absolutely crazy because I make carnitas all the time. So now, at this very moment, is my carnitas recipe. It really isn’t mine. It is the traditional Mexican recipe, which is just pork, lard, water, and salt(garlic is optional). All you have to do is add all of the ingredients to a pot and braise for 45 minutes. Then you reduce all of the liquid out until the pork starts to fry in its own fat. Once the pork is slightly browned, it’s ready to eat. Carnitas are great in tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tamales, tortas, omelettes, nachos, and just about anything else that you can think of.
Equipment
- cast iron pot
Ingredients
- 4 lbs pork shoulder cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup lard
- 8 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp salt
- water
Instructions
- Add the pork, lard, garlic, and salt to a cast iron pot. Pour in enough water to cover the pork. Bring to a boil. Cover. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 45 minutes.
- Uncover. Turn the heat up to high and reduce until all of the water has evaporated. There will only be pork and fat left.
- Turn the heat to medium and fry the pork in its own fat until browned; about 10-15 minutes.
Smoked Beer Brined Cornish Hens
Smoked Beer Brined Cornish Hens
Smoking cornish hens needs to occur more often on your dinner table. These hens were brined in beer, onions, and garlic for a day, then smoked with hickory and applewood for about 2 1/2 hours. The hens turn out unbelievably juicy and full of smokey flavor.
Equipment
- Electric Smoker
Ingredients
- 2 cornish hens
- 4 cups beer
- 1/2 onion diced
- 8 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 cup sea salt
- 1 tbsp black peppercorns
- 1 tbsp coriander seeds
- 2 bay leaves
Wood Chips
- 1/2 hickory
- 1/2 applewood
Instructions
- Mix all of the brining ingredients together. Brine the cornish hens in a gallon sized storage bag for 24 hours.
- Remove the hens from the brine and place on a rack. Dry out in the refrigerator overnight.
- Let the hens rest at room temperature for an hour before smoking.
- Preheat your smoker to 250 degrees. Place the hens in the smoker.
- Smoke the hens for 2 1/2 hours. Let rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Venezuelan Scrambled Eggs
Venezuelan Scrambled Eggs
If you were to eat breakfast in a Venezuelan household, this would be a typical preparation of scrambled eggs. The eggs are full of sautéed onions, peppers, and tomatoes; topped with a slice of gouda cheese. Serve the eggs with an arepa.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 small onion finely chopped
- 1 small green bell pepper small dice
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 roma tomato seeded and diced
- 3 large eggs beaten
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 slice gouda or mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Heat up oil in a nonstick sauté pan over medium high heat. Sauté the the onions, garlic, and bell peppers for 3 minutes.
- Stir in the tomatoes. Cook for 3 minutes.
- Turn the heat down to medium. Pour in the beaten eggs. Let set for a minute.
- Scramble the eggs. Season with salt and pepper.
