Aranitas Recipes

PLANTAIN FRITTERS (ARANITAS)

Steps:

• Heat 2-inches of oil to 350 degrees F in a heavy skillet or deep pot over medium-high heat. Line a plate with paper towels and set aside.
• While the oil warms, place the garlic cloves on a cutting board. Slice the cloves in half lengthwise and then smash with the side of a chef's knife. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the garlic and chop and smear the garlic against the cutting board until it makes a paste.
• Place the grated plantains, garlic paste, and pepper in a large bowl and mix until combined. Using 2 tablespoons scoop out some of the mixture and press it flat with the back of the other spoon. Gently slide it in the hot oil, adding enough balls to fill the pan without overcrowding it. Fry until golden, for 4 to 5 minutes on each side (if the fritters get dark too quickly, lower the temperature of the oil). Using a slotted spoon or frying spider, transfer the aranitas to the paper towel-lined plate to drain. Sprinkle with some more salt and the cilantro and serve warm.

ARANITAS (SHREDDED GREEN PLANTAIN PATTIES)

Steps:

• Heat canola oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Gather about 2 tablespoons of shredded plantains and shape into patties.
• Fry the patties in the preheated oil until golden and crispy, about 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels and season with garlic salt.

CARNITAS

Steps:

• Toss the pork with 2 teaspoons of salt. Transfer to a 6- to 7-quart Dutch oven or pot along with the oil, oregano, red pepper, cloves, garlic, bay leaves, lime juice, orange peel and onion. Cover with 4 to 5 cups of water. Bring to a high simmer, then reduce the heat to low, partially cover the pot and simmer gently, checking occasionally to give it a stir, until the pork is tender and just beginning to fall apart, about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Fish out the bay leaves and orange peel. (The pork will not look super-attractive at this point but don't panic!)
• Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium-high. Simmer vigorously, stirring frequently, until all of the water has evaporated, leaving only the oil, and the pork has browned and begun to fry slightly at the bottom of the pot; continue to cook, scraping up the bottom of the pot frequently to release the fried bits, 30 to 40 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the pork from any remaining oil in the pot.
• Serve with tortillas and suggested toppings to make tacos.

CARNITAS (AUTHENTIC)

Steps:

• Cut pork meat into chunks and discard the big pieces of fat. (I leave some fat as it adds flavor).
• Add pork chunks, broth, garlic*, comino*, onion* and cilantro* to a dutch oven. If necessary, add water so that the meat is covered.
• Bring to boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for about 3 -4 hours or until meat is very soft and pulls apart easily. (Be careful not to shred meat, needs to stay in chunks).
• Remove the meat carefully from pot and place in a roasting pan. Discard onion and broth. Break the meat apart into smaller chunks (don't shred, it needs to stay in chunks).
• Bake in the oven at 450°F for about 20 minutes or until the meat is brown and crispy.
• Heat (or make homemade) corn tortillas, serve with desired toppings.
• (You may have to adjust garlic, comino, onion and cilantro to your liking, everyone's taste is different. You can add salt and pepper if you like too, I use Nature's seasonings, personal preference).

ARANITAS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200 degrees. Peel plantains; discard skins; discard skins. Using the largest holes on a box grater, grate the plantains in a large bowl.
• Scoop 1 tablespoon grated plantain into the palm of your hand. Make a tight fist, forming a 1 inch-diameter ball; place on a baking sheet. Repeat with grated plantains.
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet set over a medium-high heat. Working in batches, place alls in oil, without crowding. Using a metal spatula, press down to flatten balls. Cook until golden brown on bottoms, about 2 minutes. Turn over; cook other sides until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with salt, and return to baking sheet; keep in warm oven. Repeat with the remaining balls.

PORK CARNITAS

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Season the pork shoulder with salt, then arrange the pork in the Dutch oven. Cook until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, lime juice, chili powder, oregano, and cumin. Pour in the chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and continue to simmer until pork is very tender, about 2 1/2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Transfer the pork shoulder to a large baking sheet, reserving the cooking liquid. Drizzle with a small amount of the reserved cooking liquid and lightly season with salt.
• Bake the pork in the preheated oven until browned, about 30 minutes. Drizzle more of the cooking liquid on the meat every 10 minutes, and use two forks to shred the meat as it browns.