1.10.2012
Carnitas
Such a simple recipe resulting in so much flavor! Carnitas (which translates "little meats") may take a few hours to cook, but everyone in the family loves to eat them. Adding all sorts of toppings, they're sort of like a Mexican pizza, using a corn tortilla as the base. I love the tang of lime in this recipe and the barely-there orange is just right. Serve these with slaw, avocado, salsa, limes, tomatillos..... even sour cream. Any way you want, but I personally love the simplicity of a nice hot and crunchy corn tortilla with the caramelized pork on top, letting that pork flavor shine through. Even better the next day.
Carnitas
A combination of recipes
Ingredients:
3 pounds pork butt, with plenty of fat, cut in 2 inch cubes
1 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
3-4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 teaspoon cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Method:
In a large Dutch oven, mix the pork, both juices, garlic, cumin and salt. Add enough water to just cover the meat. Bring to a boil and then reduce to simmer. Simmer without stirring for 2 hours.
Then, raise the heat to medium high and cook another 45 minutes, stirring frequently so the meat doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. Most of the liquid will evaporate and all that's left is pork fat. Brown the carnitas in the fat until caramelized. Serve over a corn torilla with any fixings you like.
I love the tang of limes and oranges too Barbara. Yum.
ReplyDeleteSam
These are definite crowd pleasers! I love the citrus in them! Makes the dish feel lighter.
ReplyDeleteLove the shot of the pork, coleslaw and salsa, great meal. The pork looks amazing with the flavorful crust!
ReplyDeleteI think I can actually smell the carnitas! Such a simple recipe but packed with flavor. The accompaniments are my favorites.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
Love these Barbara, look nice:)
ReplyDeleteThese are such fun to put together, who wouldn't want to spend a little time in the kitchen for such an outcome.
ReplyDeleteSo droolworthy! Exactly the kind of food that I enjoy.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Rosa
Strangely enough I have never had these. They look PACKED full of flavor!
ReplyDeleteThey look so tasty and loaded with flavours and deliciousness!
ReplyDeleteWith lime juice and orange juice this has got to be a hit!
ReplyDeleteI don't cook meat, but I'm going to make an exception. I NEEEEEEED to try this!!
ReplyDeleteI love Mexican and the combination of flavors in this dish is very attractive. I would love to try it!
ReplyDeleteI love Mexican food, the flavours of the ingredients in this dish have my mouth watering already, yum!
ReplyDeleteThis is my favorite thing to eat at our favorite Mexican spot! Thanks for posting, this looks simple and delicious!
ReplyDeleteLove those flavors together. These look delicious.
ReplyDeleteThis would so great for a party. Guests could build their own tacos or tostadas. I'm thinking ahead to the Super Bowl!
ReplyDeletePork, fat, little meats? I'm there!!! Sounds like a tempting delight for Super Bowl watching...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Barbara...
Carnitas are a party staple at our house, however I don't use orange juice in mine I use chipotle chilies. Next time I'll use both.
ReplyDeleteMimi
Perfect Super Bowl food!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! Glad to be back to blogging with such a great recipe--your carnitas look great!
ReplyDeleteThose beautiful caramelized bites of pork just made my mouth water---plus those garlicky citrus tastes,what's not to love about this dish?
ReplyDeleteIs that it - with all that flavour - I would have thought so much more! I am definitely IN!! The comments are informative, too!
ReplyDelete:)
V
mmm, carnitas is always the first thing i want to order at a mexican restaurant, delicious!
ReplyDeleteYum, I took one look at this and knew it would be a hit in my house. I shall give it a try and let you know! Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteLovely! My grandkids are coming this weekend and this might be just the ticket...
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, my daughter who claims she hates all kinds of meat will eat carnitas at a Mexican restaurant - I'll have to make this for her at home!
ReplyDeleteI love all the zesty flavors going on in this dish. This is the exact sort of meal I love to serve in January -- fun and festive -- to brighten up the coldest month of the year!
ReplyDeleteLove carnitas!
ReplyDeleteI love carnitas; perhaps we are long lost cousins? I have never made them with orange juice and will absolutely have to try this. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat's going on with the magic picture??? I can just imagine what it looks like... love all those flavors. Sometimes fat it a good thing... especially when it caramelizes meat... pure evil.
ReplyDeletethere's no way you could wrap that tortilla around those hunks of carnitas, but that's okay. in this instance, the more, the better. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm salivating just thinking about how good this tastes! What lovely flavors.
ReplyDeleteThese look so good!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments about Anse Chastenet. I had remembered the post you wrote about the artist who had some work there, and who tragically died. I'll be sure to look up his art while we're there.
These look so good!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments about Anse Chastenet. I had remembered the post you wrote about the artist who had some work there, and who tragically died. I'll be sure to look up his art while we're there.
I've ordered carnitas many many times in restaurants and can't believe I've never thought about making them. These look so good Barbara! Bookmarked.
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