Mexican Christmas Roast Pork Recipes

MEXICAN PORK ROAST

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook the onions, carrots and jalapenos until tender, 2-3 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker; add water and broth. , In a small bowl, combine the coriander, salt, cumin, oregano and pepper; rub over roast. Cut roast in half; place in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low until meat is tender, 8-9 hours. , Transfer roast and vegetables to a serving platter; keep warm. Strain cooking juices and skim fat. Pour into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced to about 1 cup. Serve with roast and vegetables.

MEXICAN CHRISTMAS ROAST PORK

Steps:

• Pierce pork with a sharp knife, making several slits all over the top of the leg; place into a large bowl.
• Combine 1 cup cider, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper in a blender; blend until smooth. Pour over pork. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator, 6 hours to overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Remove pork leg from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature.
• Transfer pork leg to a roasting pan, reserving juices that have collected in the bowl. Mix pineapple juice into the bowl; pour over the pork. Insert almonds and prunes into the slits on top and in the center of the pork. Inject some of the remaining cider into the pork using a baster. Pour any remaining cider on top. Rub lard over the top of the pork and cover with pineapple slices. Cover the roasting pan with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven, basting every 30 minutes with pan juices, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), 5 to 6 hours. Remove foil and bake until browned, about 30 minutes more. Remove from oven, cover with foil, and let sit for 10 minutes before carving.

MEXICAN PORK ROAST &/OR CROCKPOT CARNITAS

Steps:

• If preparing as a roast:.
• Place roast in a bowl large enough to hold it plus several cups of liquid (marinade).
• Grind/blend together all ingredients (except jalapenos and pork) in a blender, immersion blender, mini chopper, or food processor. When mixed and well-blended, pour over pork. The marinade should almost cover the pork- if it doesn't, add more OJ and milk until it's almost covered.
• Cover and marinate the pork in the fridge for 12-24 hours. Turn every few hours.
• When ready to cook the piggy, preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Place pork in a greased (or PAM'd) roasting pan (I sometimes use a roasting rack inside a pan) with the fatty side UP.
• Bake pork at 400 until the top gets crispy and brown.
• Once the top has browned, cover the roast with foil and place back in the oven. Depending on how you like to cook your meat, you could lower the temp slightly for a longer cooking time.
• Baste the roast every 30 minutes or so to help infuse it with deliciousness (optional).
• Cooking time will vary widely depending on the size of your roast. I usually get a 10-lb roast, which takes 2-3 hours usually to cook.
• Once your roast is at your ideal temp (145*-160*), take from the oven.
• If you'd like to serve it as a roast now, let it rest for 15 or 20 minutes and then slice it. It will be fairly tender but should hold together well for slicing.
• Leftovers freeze well! Just throw any leftovers (including the bone) into the crockpot on low with a few sliced jalapenos, shred with 2 forks, and you'll have carnitas! I serve my carnitas with pan-fried corn tortillas, chopped red onion, cilantro, and a lime wedge.
• ***If you're planning on starting this in the crockpot for Carnitas, you will not need to add the whole amount of liquids. This roast is very fatty and will create a lot of its own juice. Pour the marinade in to the crock, leaving 3 or 4 inches clear at the top. Add sliced jalapenos (if desired). Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours until cooked and falling apart. Shred with 2 forks, throw the bone away, and enjoy!***.