Americas Test Kitchen Spicy Mexican Shredded Pork Tostadas Ti Recipes

MEXICAN SHREDDED PORK

Steps:

• In a large skillet place corn oil and bring to high heat (careful!). Sear pork butt on all sides. Should be browned on all sides.
• Let pork butt rest on cutting board until cool enough to handle. Rub cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper on all sides of pork.
• In large cast iron or equivalent make dutch oven style pan, place chicken stock. Add pork butt.
• Peel and slice into disk onion. Place onion on top of pork.
• Open can of poblanos and remove peppers, save sauce. Place poblanos on onions.
• Cover pan and set burner to lowest setting (May also be done in oven) allow to slow cook.
• Periodically it may be necessary to remove excess fluid from pan as meat cooks down.
• After approx 4 hours check to see if meat falls apart when prodded with fork. (Don't worry if it doesn't. I was told 4 hours of cooking time, my first time it took closer to eight before it flaked apart with a fork) If it doesn't flake apart, continue to cook covered and check each hour.
• When meat falls apart, remove any bones. Drain off liquid. Stir in poblano sauce left from can.
• You may use immediately for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, flautas, or any other Mexican dish requiring shredded pork.
• I recommend adding a dash of rock salt. Keep refrigerated until needed. This meat easily reheats for that quick taco fix.
• Note: EXPERIMENT! I substitute Beer for the chicken stock. Add a chunk of fatty beef that has been seered on all sides to the pot, and WOW! I also add a few fresh Jalepenos cut in half with the tops removed. See what works for you.

SPICY PORK TOSTADAS

Steps:

• Combine the oregano, salt, pepper and cayenne; rub over roast. Place fat side up on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 2 hours or until a thermometer reads 160°., In a large skillet, saute onions in 2 tablespoons oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add the green pepper, salsa, corn, beans, paprika, pepper flakes and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the cilantro; keep warm. , Shred pork with two forks; keep warm. In a large skillet, fry tortillas, one at a time, in remaining oil for 2 minutes on each side or until golden. Drain on paper towels. , Place tortillas on serving plates; top with shredded pork, onion mixture and cheese.

AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN SPICY MEXICAN SHREDDED PORK TOSTADAS - TI

Steps:

• Bring pork, quartered onion, smashed garlic, thyme, 1 tsp salt and 6 cups water to simmer in large saucepan over medium-high heat, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover and cook until pork is tender, 75-90 minutes. Drain pork, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid. Discard onion, garlic and thyme. Return pork to saucepan and using potato masher, mash until shredded into rough 1/2" pieces. Set aside.
• Heat olive oil in 12" nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add shredded pork, chopped onion and oregano; cook, stirring often until pork is well browned and crisp, 7-10 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Stir in tomato sauce, chipotle powder, reserved pork cooking liquid and bay leaves; simmer until almost all liquid has evaporated, 5-7 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaves and season to taste with salt.
• To fry tostadas, heat vegetable oil in 8" heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat to 350 degrees. Using fork, poke center of each tortilla 3-4 times (to prevent puffing and allow for even cooking). Fry 1 at a time, holding tortilla down to keep it submerged. Drain on paper towel lined plate and season with salt to taste.
• Spoon small amount of shredded pork onto center of each tostada and serve with garnishes.

PORK "TOSTADAS"

Steps:

• Take each pork chop and place it between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound it out with the flat side of a meat hammer to about 1/4 inch in thickness. Continue with each chop.
• Dredge the flattened chops in corn meal. Heat oil in 12 inch sauté pan and sear on both sides, approximately 2 to 3 minutes each side. Remember your chop is very thin and will only take a short time to cook. Place on a plate until all the pieces are done.
• Top the pork "tortilla" with refried beans, a little chili and some cheddar cheese and place in an oven that has been preheated to 350°F just until the cheese melts and the chili and beans are heated through, approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
• Remove to warm plates. Have all the toppings ready and allow your guests to garnish their "tostada" as they wish.