Southwestern Pork And Pasta Recipes

ROASTED GARLIC AND HERB PENNE PASTA WITH PORK

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain, reserving 1/2 cup of liquid from pasta pot.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 Tbs butter.
• Add garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds or until garlic begins to turn golden.
• Add cubed pork loin, and sear on all sides. Reduce heat, and turn to low to cook through.
• Meanwhile, In a small bowl, combine parsley, basil, salt and ground black pepper, and parmesan cheese, then set aside.
• Add additional butter, and reserved pasta water to skillet with pork.
• Add cooked penne into the skillet with the pork, toss with herb and parmesan cheese mixture.
• Taste, season with salt and pepper as desired, serve with more fresh herbs.

SOUTHWESTERN PORK SOUP (FOR CROCK POT)

Steps:

• In the bottom of a slow cooker, combine pork, onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, garlic, chili powder, cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (measuring both the salt and pepper with real measuring spoons, leveled).
• Stir to combine.
• Add broth, tomatoes, and beans, cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, test for seasonings, then ladle soup into bowls and top with avocado, some cilantro, and a squirt or two of lime juice over each serving.
• Serve with some chips and a sprinkling of cheese too if desired.

SASSY SOUTHWEST STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain and rinse in cold water., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and pork over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles, 8-10 minutes; drain. Add carrot, green onions and garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in chiles, 1 cup cheese, half of the fried onions and the cilantro. In a large bowl combine picante sauce, tomato sauce and water; stir 1 cup picante mixture into pan., Spread 1 cup remaining picante mixture into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Fill pasta shells with meat mixture; place in baking dish, overlapping ends slightly. Top with remaining sauce. Cover and bake 30 minutes. Uncover; top with remaining cheese and remaining fried onions. Bake until cheese is melted, 5-10 minutes.

SOUTHWESTERN PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute onion in 1 tablespoon oil for 3-4 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the tomatoes, beans, broth, chili powder, oregano, cumin and pepper flakes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 4-5 minutes or until heated through. , Meanwhile, in another skillet, brown pork chops on both sides in remaining oil over medium-high heat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour tomato mixture over chops. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°. Using a slotted spoon, serve over rice. Sprinkle with cilantro if desired. Freeze option: Cool pork chop mixture. Freeze in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through slowly in a covered skillet until a thermometer inserted in pork reads 165°, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth or water if necessary. Serve as directed.

SOUTHWESTERN PORK STEW

Steps:

• Trim fat from pork. Cut pork into 1-inch cubes. Toss pork with flour. Spray Dutch oven with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat. Cook pork, onion and garlic in Dutch oven, stirring occasionally, until pork is brown.
• Stir in broth, thyme, cumin and chilies. Cook 15 minutes.
• Stir in vegetable mixture. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer about 10 minutes or until pork is slightly pink in center.