Cuban Zesty Fried Pork Bites Recipes

COUNTRY-FRIED PORK NUGGETS

Steps:

• Preheat a deep-fryer or heavy-bottomed pot, with enough canola oil to come halfway up the sides of the pot, to 375 degrees F.
• In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the chives, jalapenos, shallots, garlic, white wine vinegar, and mustard. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
• Season the pork with salt and pepper, to taste. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the buttermilk and egg together. In a large bowl, combine the flour, paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper, to taste. Coat the pork on all sides in the buttermilk. Drain the pork from the buttermilk and add the chunks to the flour. Toss the pork in the flour insuring all of the pork is coated evenly. Shake off excess flour. Working in batches, deep-fry the nuggets until cooked through and crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the pork from the fryer to a paper towel lined platter to drain. Transfer the pork to a serving platter and serve with jalapeno mustard.

CUBAN-STYLE ROAST PORK

Steps:

• Grind garlic, salt, black pepper, cumin, oregano, and coriander into a paste using a mortar and pestle.
• Transfer half of the garlic and spice paste to a bowl; add lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, and vinegar. Beat the mixture with a whisk until smooth.
• Cut several inch-long, deep slits into the fatty side of the pork roast. Rub the reserved garlic paste into the slits.
• Put rubbed roast into a gallon-size resealable plastic bag. Pour the liquid mixture over the roast, squeeze as much air from the bag as possible and seal; refrigerate, turning occasionally, 8 hours to overnight.
• Remove pork roast from refrigerator, put into a roasting pan, and let warm at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Roast pork in preheated oven for 30 minutes, reduce heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and continue cooking until pork is no longer pink in the center, about 2 hours more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 170 degrees F (75 degrees C).

PRESSURE COOKER GARLICKY CUBAN PORK

Steps:

• In a blender or mini food processor, combine the garlic, grapefruit juice, lime zest and juice, 2 tablespoons of the oil, brown sugar, oregano, cumin, and salt; process until blended. Transfer to a large bowl and add the pork and bay leaf; toss to combine. Marinate, covered, at room temperature for 1 hour (or refrigerate for up to 6 hours).
• Using the sauté function set on high if available, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in the pressure cooker (or use a large skillet). Remove the pork from the marinade, reserving the marinade, and shake the meat to remove any excess liquid. Cook until it is browned on all sides, about 12 minutes (you will need to do this in batches, transferring the browned pork pieces to a plate as you go).
• When all the pork is browned, return the pieces to the pot along with any juices from the plate. (If you used a skillet, add 1 tablespoon water and use a wooden spoon to scrape the skillet well to include all the browned bits stuck to the bottom.) Add the reserved marinade to the pot. Cover and cook on high pressure for 80 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.
• Remove the pork from the cooking liquid (jus). Taste the jus, and if it seems bland or too thin, boil it down either in the pressure cooker on the sauté setting or in a separate pot on the stove until it thickens slightly and intensifies in flavor, 7 to 15 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and add a bit of salt if necessary. If you'd like to degrease the jus, use a fat separator to do so, or just let the jus settle and spoon the fat off the top.
• Shred the meat, using your hands or two forks. Toss the meat with the jus to taste (be generous-1 1/2 to 2 cups should do it), and serve with cilantro, lime wedges, and hot sauce.

CUBAN ZESTY FRIED PORK BITES

Steps:

• Stir together first 4 ingredients. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
• Bring 2 cups water and salt to a boil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add pork; reduce heat to medium low, and cook 1 hour and 15 minutes or until water evaporates. Meat will look pale. Cook, stirring occasionally, 10 more minutes or until pork cubes are golden brown. Drain on layers of paper towels. Serve with garlic mixture and lime wedges.

CUBAN PORK ROAST

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Pour half of the marinade into a large resealable plastic bag; add the pork roast. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 2 hours. Refrigerate remaining marinade., Drain and discard marinade from pork. Place roast in an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Pour reserved marinade over the roast. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. , Cover and bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Uncover; baste with pan drippings. Bake 15 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 145°. Discard bay leaves. Let roast stand for 10 minutes before slicing.