Chalupas

This is one of those meals where you have to start in the morning and keep an eye on all day. It's so yummy, but definitly not made for a busy day.

Meat:

• 3 lbs. pork roast (trim off fat)


• 1 lb. pinto beans


• 2 cloves garlic


• 1 medium onion (chopped)


• 2 Tbsp. chili powder


• 1 Tbsp. cumin


• 1 Tbsp. oregano


• 4 oz. can chopped green chilis


• 1 Tbsp. salt

Toppings:

• chopped tomato


• shredded lettuce


• chopped green onion


• olives


• shredded cheddar cheese


• sour cream


• salsa


• tostada shells (the hard, flat, round ones)

1. Put everything in pot & cover with water. Bring to boil, then turn down & cook until beans are tender (keep covered with water). Remove meat and shred. Mash beans.


2. Return to pot. Bring to boil, turn down and let water cook down.


3. Place on tostada shells and add desired toppings!

This makes A LOT! This is the recipe my mom used to feed seven of us (three of them being boys with hearty appetites)!

Sloppy Cubanos

I got this recipe for a cousin of the sloppy joe from Rachael Ray. So yummy!!!

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4- 1/3 pound chorizo, casing removed (about one cup), finely chopped
• 1 lb. ground pork
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, grated or finely chopped
• 1 tsp. all-spice
• 2 tsp. paprika
• 2 tsp. coriander
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 Tbsp. light or dark brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• the zest and juice of 1 lime
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
• 4 sub rolls
• 4 deli cut slices Swiss cheese
• dill pickles

1. Heat the EVOO in a large skillet, one turn of the pan, over medium-high heat. Brown the chorizo for 2 minutes, then add the pork and brown and crumble it, 3-4 minutes. Add onion and garlic. Season the mixture with allspice, paprika, coriander, salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, then add the sugar and Worcestershire sauce and the zest and juice of one lime. Turn to distribute, then stir in stock and tomato sauce. Simmer a couple of minutes.
2. Split and lightly toast rolls under hot broiler. Slop the mixture into rolls, then melt the Swiss cheese over top. Scatter chopped pickles on the sammies.

Sweet 'N Sour Pork

I usually half this recipe because it makes 8-10 serving.

• 3 1/4 pounds pork Boston shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. ginger
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cans (13 ounces each) pineapple chuncks, drained (reserve syrup)
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 Tbsp. salt
• 3/4 tsp. pepper
• 2 small green peppers, cut into strips
• 2 Tbsp. chili sauce
• 5 cups hot cooked rice
  

1. Trim excess fat from pork. Mix half the flour and all the ginger. Coat pork thoroughly with flour mixture.
2. Heat oil in large heavy skillet; brown pork on all sides, removing pieces as they brown
3. Add water to reserved pineapple syrup to measure 1 3/4 cups liquid; gradually stir into remaining flour. Stir pineapple syrup mixture, vinegar, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce into fat in skillet. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in sugar, salt, pepper and meat. Reduce heat. Cover; simmer 1 hour or until meat is tender, stirring occasionally.
4. Add pineapple and green pappers; cook uncovered 10 minutes. Stir in chili sauce; cook 5 minutes longer. Serve over rice.

Cranberry Pork Roast

This one is super easy. Just throw it in and have a yummy dinner when you get back from running errands or whatever is on the agenda.

• 1 (1lb.-3lb.) boneless rolled pork loin roast
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/4 t pepper
• 1 can (16oz) whole berry cranberry sauce
• 1/4 C honey
• 1 t grated orange
• 1/8 t ground cloves
• 1/8 t ground nutmeg

Cut roast in half (don't have too) and place in a slow cooker; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Combine the remaining ingredients; pour over roast. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees. (or just cut into it and if it looks good, there you go!) Let stand 10 minutes before slicing. To complete the meal serve with garlic mashed potatoes.