Blogging…about food…still. That's mmm-yoso!!! Today, Cathy is back with another easy meal.
Hi. I am sort of doing a series of "$5 Fridays" recipes, (OK, well, two in a row anyhow). Meals that can be made, maybe with stuff that is on sale locally in San Diego, for about $5 for two people. But also at regular prices the food is not terribly expensive. Simple recipes.
Carnitas. I *love* carnitas. Essentially, fried pork. Seems so difficult, eh? Nope. A lovely Polish lady by the name of Martha Stewart had this 'recipe' which I have adapted.
Country Style pork shoulder
. Sometimes called Country Style ribs.
You've seen them in the grocery store. They were 99¢ a pound two weeks ago, are on sale for $2.29 a pound this week at Vons and apparently some people buy them for $4.46 a pound. As if.
I happen to know that it takes four pounds of this meat to fill my one deep fry pan. (Circulon commercial 12 inch 5.7 L). Buying 4 lbs makes the $5 part kind of not there, unless you figure how many meals you get out of four pounds…There was exactly one bone in all of this package I bought.
Here is the "recipe" part:
Cover all that meat with water.
Add one of my size handfuls of KOSHER or SEA salt, plus this much more. About 1/3 cup total. (Kosher and sea salt are not as salty tasting)
Put on low heat.
Yeah.
Nothing else.
NOTHING. No spices, no herbs. N-o-t-h-i-n-g.
It will boil. The water will get low.
and lower.
You'll hear a sizzle when the water is almost gone. Let it sizzle a bit, so some of the meat sticks to the pan.
The bone(s) will fall out, no problem.
There will be a crispy, salty (but not overly salty) bottom to the pieces.
The meat will shred easily. I promise.
Tender, juicy, excellent.
Serve with tortillas (on sale for $1.25 at Vons), refried beans (75¢ for the generic can or 10 for $10 if you are mathematically challenged), cilantro (25¢ at Henry's) and chopped onion. I don't like cheese or guacamole with it. (although avocados are 77¢ at Henry's). The pure, simple flavors are what matters.
The extra meat tastes wonderful on a salad or reheated for more tacos.
Cathy's Carnitas
4 lb country style pork shoulder/ribs
1/3 C Kosher or sea salt
Water to cover
Boil on low until water is gone. About an hour. Let crisp for about an extra minute or two once you hear the sizzle start.
Remove bones. Shred.