Roasted Pork Tacos With Pumpkin Seed Sauce Recipes

SLOW-ROASTED PORK FOR TACOS

Steps:

• Sliver 4 cloves of the garlic and use a thin-bladed knife to poke holes all over the pork; insert garlic slivers in holes.
• Combine the peppercorns, oregano, cumin, cinnamon and coriander in a small skillet and turn the heat to medium. Toast, shaking the pan occasionally, until the mixture is fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Combine the toasted spices, salt and remaining garlic in the container of a small food processor or blender. Turn on the machine and gradually add the orange and lemon juice until you have a smooth purée. Rub all over the pork; let the pork sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours or in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
• At least 2 hours before you plan to eat, turn the oven to 300 degrees or prepare a charcoal or gas grill to cook over low indirect heat. Put the pork in a roasting pan in the oven or directly on the grill rack; if you're grilling, cover the grill. Cook, checking occasionally and basting with the pan juices if you're roasting (add water to bottom of pan if mixture dries out), until pork is brown and very, very tender, at least 2 hours. Shred or slice pork and use hot or at room temperature (pork can be refrigerated for up to 2 days).

ROASTED PORK TACOS WITH PUMPKIN SEED SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 3-quart rectangular baking dish or roasting pan with foil; set aside.
• Score the fat cap of the pork shoulder into a diamond pattern, about 1-inch diamonds with about 1/2-inch of depth. Season the pork should with 1 teaspoon salt. Place pork in prepared dish, fat side up. Set aside.
• Roast pork 2 1/2 hours, occasionally spooning some of the achiote sauce over the pork. Increase oven to 400°F; roast 15 minutes more. Remove roast from oven, cover and let stand 20 minutes.
• Roast for the pork should for 2 1/2 hours, spooning sauce over occasionally. Increase heat to 400°F and roast for 15 minutes more. Remove from oven. Let stand, covered, for 20 minutes. Using 2 forks, pull the meat off the bone into shreds. Serve with tortillas and remaining garnishes. Pumpkin Seed Sauce
• Toast the pumpkin seeds in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When you are cooking seeds they will burn quickly so keep and eye on them and stir often. You are looking for a little browning, a development of nutty flavor. This should take 2 to 3 minutes. While you are finishing getting the seeds all toasty, set up the blender and combine shallot, garlic, the serrano, cumin and cinnamon. Add half of the chicken stock, the toasted pumpkin seeds, and the salt; cover and blend to a fine texture.
• Heat the large skillet over medium-high heat and add the avocado oil. When the oil is hot add the mixture from the blender and cook down, stirring often, for 5 to 10 minutes, adjusting the heat as necessary. The texture should be like a smooth salsa, but not too thick. Set aside to cool.
• Combine the remaining stock with the cilantro and the parsley in the blender and blend until smooth. This sauce should be very green and when the salsa base is cool, combine the two. Serve warm or at room temperature. Or, transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator up to 1 week. Pickled Red Onions
• Place the onions in a large non-reactive, heatproof bowl; set aside. Combine the water, vinegar, and sugar in a 2-quart pot and bring to boiling. Pour the mixture over the onions and cover with plastic wrap. Let cool to room temperature before draining and serving.

DEE'S ROAST PORK FOR TACOS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Place the roast on top of a large piece of aluminum foil. In a small bowl, stir together the green chiles, chili powder, oregano, taco seasoning and garlic. Rub onto the roast. Wrap foil around the roast so that it is completely covered, using additional aluminum foil if necessary. Place on top of a roasting rack in a baking dish, or place a cookie sheet on an oven rack below to catch any leaks.
• Roast the meat for 3 1/2 to 4 hours in the preheated oven, until falling apart. Cook to at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Remove from the oven, and shred into small pieces using two forks. Season with salt to taste.

PUMPKIN SEED-CRUSTED PORK TENDERLOIN ROAST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Season pork with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and cayenne.
• Heat vegetable oil in an oven-proof pan over high heat. Sear pork in the hot oil until well-browned on all sides. Turn off the heat, and transfer to a plate.
• Mix mustard, maple syrup, and cumin together in a small bowl. Use a spoon to spread mustard mixture all over the surface of the pork, getting as thick a layer as possible.
• Transfer the pumpkin seeds on top of the mustard mixture in a thick layer, and lightly press down into the surface. Press pumpkin seeds into the sides as well.
• Transfer pork back into the pan and add 1/2 cup of broth.
• Roast in the preheated oven until pork is slightly pink in the center, about 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Remove pork to a plate and cover loosely with foil.
• Place the same pan back over medium-high heat and add remaining 1/2 cup of broth, rice vinegar, and balsamic vinegar. Stir with a spoon and bring to a boil.
• Cook until liquid has reduced by half, about 1 minute. Turn off the heat and stir in butter. Taste for seasoning and serve over sliced pork.

PORK WITH PUMPKIN-SEED SAUCE

Steps:

• Stir pumpkin seeds in heavy medium skillet over medium heat until golden and beginning to pop, about 8 minutes. Cool. Reserve 2 tablespoons seeds in bowl. In blender, mix 7 tablespoons pumpkin seeds and half each of lettuce, onion, cilantro, chilies, garlic, radish leaves and broth. Blend to smooth puree. Transfer to large bowl. Repeat with 7 tablespoons pumpkin seeds and remaining lettuce, onion, cilantro, chilies, garlic, radish leaves and broth. Pour into same large bowl. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add puree; boil until slightly thickened, stirring often, 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; cover partially. Simmer puree until reduced to thick sauce, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork; brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Place skillet in oven; roast pork until thermometer inserted into center registers 150°F, about 45 minutes. Transfer pork to cutting board; let stand 10 minutes. Reserve pan juices.
• Slice pork thinly; place on platter. Re-warm sauce, adding pan juices; spoon sauce over pork. Top with reserved seeds.
• *Also known as pepitas. Available at Latin American markets, natural foods stores and many supermarkets.