Ernestos Mexican Food Carnitas Recipes

ERNESTO'S MEXICAN FOOD CARNITAS

Steps:

• Heat oil to medium temperature. Place all ingredients in oil except sugar. Cook on medium temperature for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours.
• Take sugar and caramelize in small pan over medium heat almost to burn.
• Turn meat mixture heat to high and add caramelized sugar, stir and cook for an additional 15 minutes.
• Drain meat thoroughly.
• Serve with pico de gallo salsa, fresh homemade tortillas, frijoles and margaritas.
• Source: Luis Sanchez, Ernesto's Mexican Food, Sacramento, California.

CARNITAS

Steps:

• Toss the pork with 2 teaspoons of salt. Transfer to a 6- to 7-quart Dutch oven or pot along with the oil, oregano, red pepper, cloves, garlic, bay leaves, lime juice, orange peel and onion. Cover with 4 to 5 cups of water. Bring to a high simmer, then reduce the heat to low, partially cover the pot and simmer gently, checking occasionally to give it a stir, until the pork is tender and just beginning to fall apart, about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Fish out the bay leaves and orange peel. (The pork will not look super-attractive at this point but don't panic!)
• Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium-high. Simmer vigorously, stirring frequently, until all of the water has evaporated, leaving only the oil, and the pork has browned and begun to fry slightly at the bottom of the pot; continue to cook, scraping up the bottom of the pot frequently to release the fried bits, 30 to 40 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the pork from any remaining oil in the pot.
• Serve with tortillas and suggested toppings to make tacos.

MEXICAN CARNITAS AS MADE BY CLAUDETTE ZEPEDA RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• To a large pot, add the cubed pork shoulder, onions, avocado leaves, pepper, salt, garlic, and bay leaves. Add enough cold water to cover all the meat. Bring to a boil over high heat, then continue to boil for 20 minutes.
• Add the orange juice, milk, and cola, return to a boil, and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half, about 1 hour.
• Add the lard, let it melt, then boil off the rest of the liquid until the meat begins to fry, 1 hour more.
• Once the meat turns dark golden brown and is crispy, scoop it out of the pot and onto a paper bag or paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain.
• Serve with corn tortillas, guacamole, pickled vegetables, cilantro, lime wedges, cilantro rice, and pinto beans.
• Enjoy!

MEXICAN CARNITAS

Steps:

• Place meat in a medium-size roasting pan. Sprinkle with garlic and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper. Squeeze the juice from one orange and the lemon over the meat. Slice the remaining oranges and place over the meat. , Cover and bake at 350° for about 2 hours or until meat is tender. With a slotted spoon, remove meat and drain well on paper towels. Heat a small amount of oil in a skillet and fry meat in batches until browned and crispy. , Serve warm in tortillas with toppings of your choice. Freeze option: Freeze cooled pork mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Fry meat in batches as directed until crispy and brown. Serve as directed.

CROCK POT 'CARNITAS'

Steps:

• Combine pork, onion, jalapeno, orange peel and soda in a crock pot.
• Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
• Uncover and shred the meat using 2 forks.
• Serve on flour tortillas and top with pico de gallo, if desired.
• For Pico de Gallo:.
• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, seasoning to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cover and refrigerate until ready to use; Makes 1 1/2 cups.
• Note: Also, up to 2 teaspoons each of fresh minced garlic and dried oregano can be added to taste.
• The carnitas can be served rolled into flour tortillas or in taco shells.
• Topping options include pico de gallo, guacamole or shredded cheese with a bit of taco sauce.