Slow-Cooker Pulled-Pork (or Beef) Tacos

Kan Kanbayashi

Serves 6Hands-On Time: 15mTotal Time: 8hr 30m

Ingredients

• 2 cups store-bought salsa, plus more for serving
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• kosher salt
• 1 2 1/2-pound boneless pork butt or shoulder, trimmed of excess fat (or Beef Roast)
• 18 corn tortillas
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro sprigs
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 1 lime, cut into wedges

Directions

1. In a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker, combine the salsa, chili powder, oregano, cocoa, and 1 teaspoon salt. Add the pork and turn to coat.
2. Cook, covered, until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily, on high for 4 to 5 hours or on low for 7 to 8 hours.
3. Twenty minutes before serving, heat oven to 350° F.
4. Stack the tortillas, wrap them in foil, and bake until warm, about 15 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, using 2 forks, shred the pork and stir into the cooking liquid. Serve with the tortillas, cilantro, sour cream, lime, and extra salsa.

By Allison Fishman,  February 2009. Real Simple

Onion Cherry Pork Loin

1/4 cup honey

• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 boneless pork loin end, tied (2 pounds)
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 2 yellow onions, cut into 16 wedges
• 1 cup dried cherries
• 3 cups cooked rice, for serving
• 1/3 cup chopped parsley, for garnish

directions

step 1 In a gallon size Ziploc® Fresh Shield® Easy Zipper Expandable Bottom Storage Bag, combine the honey, orange juice, white wine vinegar, rosemary and cumin. Place the pork loin in the bag and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

step 2 Remove the loin from the bag and set aside. Pour the marinade into a medium bowl and whisk in the flour, a little at a time, until there are no lumps; then set aside.

step 3 Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork loin and cook on all sides until golden, about 5 minutes. Remove the loin and place in the bowl of a medium (4-quart) slow cooker (see chef's note). Add the onions to the skillet and sauté until slightly softened and golden, about 5 minutes.

step 4 Place the onions in the slow cooker with the pork loin. Add the cherries to the reserved marinade from Step 2 and pour the mixture over the pork loin and onions. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 2 hours 25 minutes, or until a meat thermometer (inserted into the middle of the loin) registers 160 degrees F. (See chef's note.)

step 5 Remove the loin and allow to sit for 5 minutes before slicing. To serve, spoon about 1/2 cup rice onto a plate. Place a slice or two of pork loin on the rice and drizzle with the cherry and onion sauce that the pork cooked in. Sprinkle with parsley, if desired.

Slow Cooked Chili

1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 pound stew beef, cut into 1/4-inch cubes 4 tablespoons chili powder 1 teaspoon cumin 2 tablespoons flour 1 large onion, chopped 4 to 6 cloves garlic, minced 1 small green or red bell pepper, chopped 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 16-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed 16-ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed, or 1 can chili beans with sauce 28-ounce can diced tomatoes 1 1/2 cups beef broth 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce (Omit if using chili beans) 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 Jalapeno, diced small 1 tbsp Hot Sauce 1 small can tomato paste Sour cream, chopped fresh parsley, or chopped red onion for garnish

Step 1 
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meat and brown it for 2 minutes, stirring often. Add the chili powder and cumin and let the spices heat for 1 minute, stirring all the while. Stir in the flour and let the mixture cook for 1 minute more. 

Step 2 
Transfer the meat mixture to a large slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients (except for the garnishes), and stir well. Cover the cooker and let the mixture cook for 6 to 8 hours on the low setting, stirring occasionally. If necessary, thin the chili with a little water or stock as it cooks. Serves 8.