Masitas De Cerdo Recipes

MASITAS DE CERDO

Steps:

• In a large bowl or in large zip-top bag, combine pork, Mojo, Adobo, oregano and cumin; transfer to refrigerator. Marinate at least 4 hrs, or overnight.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Remove pork from marinade; discard marinade. Place pork in roasting pan; bring to room temperature. Cover roasting pan with foil. Cook pork until internal temperature registers 140 degrees F with thermometer when inserted into thickest part of pork, about 40 min. Transfer pork to cutting board; let rest 10 minutes. Cut pork into 1-inch cubes.
• Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Season pork with Adobo. Cook pork, in batches, until golden brown and crisp on all sides, about 10 min; transfer to paper-towel lined plate to drain. Cook onions in oil until soft and starting to brown, about 5 minutes.
• Arrange pork and onions on serving plate; sprinkle with cilantro. Serve with cooked rice, sweet plantains and lime wedges.

FRIED PORK CHUNKS (MASITAS DE PUERCO FRITAS)

Steps:

• Sprinkle the meat liberally with salt and pepper. I.
• In a mortar, crush the garlic into a paste and rub the pork with the garlic paste.
• Place the pork in a nonreactive bowl and pour over the orange juice.
• Cover and refrigerate 2 to 3 hours.
• Drain the pork cubes.
• In a large saucepan, over medium heat, heat 2 inches of oil until very hot but not smoking, then add the pork cubes, without crowding them, raise the heat to high, and brown the cubes, turning with a slotted spoon. (The pork will release some moisture, lowering the oil temperature considerably.)
• When oil temperature rises again, lower the heat a little and cook the cubes, turning frequently, until they are a rich, golden brown, another 10 minutes.
• Occasionally turn up the heat when necessary to crisp the cubes.
• As the cubes are finished, transfer them to a paper-towel-lined platter to drain; keep warm in a 200ºF oven until all the cubes are fried. (Placing the chunks in oven will make them nice and crispy).
• Serve immediately, with Moros y Cristianos (Black Beans and Rice) and Mojo Criollo (Creole Garlic Sauce).