Careers and Crockpots and Carnitas, Oh My!

  Carnitas 
  Originally uploaded by Foodmomiac.

I get a lot of Dear Foodmomiac questions about crockpot cooking. And, much like the question I answered last week, I tend to ignore them. I do have two crockpots, and I use them occasionally, but I don't have any real philosophy on the matter. I love them in principle. But... much of the food that comes out of them seems to taste the same. There are some exceptions. I can make a mean crock pot chili. OK, that's the only exception I can think of right now. BUT! My life is about to get REALLY interesting (a.k.a. crazy busy), so I have decided to embrace the crockpot. I will make the crockpot my beyotch, people. The crockpot is going to BEND to my will.

Well, then.

First, my life. I have accepted a fulltime job as VP at the same company Michael works at. His office will be very close to mine, but we have decided to ignore each other completely while working. (kind of kidding. a bit.) We work for different, yet synergistic (corporate speak - I'm good, aren't I?) departments, so truly, we won't have to interact too much. I'm hoping that he gives me a ride home occasionally, though.

Next, the crockpot questions. As I said, I'm going to be doing a lot more crockpot cooking. I will be working quite a bit, but I still want to cook, and I still want to have nutritious and delicious meals for my family.

Last week, in my de-lurking post, I asked for questions, and I got a great one from Shelia. She wanted to know if I had a recipe for Carnitas. Well, no, I have no recipe for Carnitas, but, I just read one that sounded promising on another blog. And, believe it or not, when I read that recipe, I thought to myself that it sounded like an ideal candidate for the crockpot. And, so, the foodmomiac Carnitas recipe was born. And, it was good! Michael and I got home at 6:05. We were sitting at the table eating by 6:30.

Carnitas
Inspired by Elise Bauer of Simply Recipes

4 lb. boneless pork shoulder, trimmed of fat and cut into 1-2 inch chunks
1 16 oz. jar salsa
1 can beef broth

Place pork into a crockpot with the salsa and broth. Add some water if the meat is not covered. Cook on low for 8 hours (ish).

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Pull the meat out of the liquid with tongs and place it on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Serve with warm corn tortillas and your choice of toppings. We had avocado, fresh salsa, grated cheese and sour cream.

Comments

[opkikid]

I am a working mom who uses the crock pot quite a bit. One of our favorites is pulled chicken sanwiches ("Chicken Joes"). Throw frozen (yes, frozen!) or defrosted boneless chicken breasts in the crockpot, add about a cup of prepared or homemade bbq sauce. Cook for 8-ish hours on low. Shred with two forks and add additional sauce to your liking. Serve on kaiser rolls with coleslaw.

[Katherine]

I made a very similar dish to this on Monday and was pleasantly surprised. I have a hard time finding crockpot recipes that I like, but pork soft tacos as my kids call them worked. I hope you will post additional crock pot recipes in the future. I walk in the door most days at 6:00 with a 3 year old and a 6 year old, so it would be great to have a few good crock pot recipes. I am going to try the chicken recipe above.

[Susan]

I just drooled on my iBook. Good lord that looks good.

I have a GREAT crockpot recipie for Moroccan Chicken and Lentils that I will e-mail you tonight. Promise.

Mmmm, carnitas . . .

[GetSheila]

Oooh, you have made me so happy. I can't wait to try this!

[ikate]

Yea! Congrats on your new job, how exciting!

[amy]

I can't believe it is that easy. Thanks for sharing. I need more simple ideas.... that are also good.
Question: why do you then bake the pork @ the end?

[foodmomiac]

Amy, when you pull the pork out of the crockpot, it is soft and wet. Carnitas are supposed to be kind of crispy and crunchy. The baking dries them up a bit and gives you that nice "bite."

[Grrrlfriend Jess]

Holy cow, a new job! Congratulations and cheers to the adventures ahead!

[Rach]

I have been trying to use the crockpot more and more... there is nothing better than coming home at the end of the day with two hungry, cranky kids and having dinner hot and waiting (and the house smelling fabulous) - but I'm with you, I have a hard time getting really excited about it. Soups generally work out well - this week we had split pea in the crock. Last week I tried the beef biryani from The Gourmet Slow Cooker (recommended on Chowhound) and was disappointed... for all the effort, not a alot of zip. So, lay it on me and I will promise to make anything you suggest.

Congrats on the new job! I'll be eager to read about how working out of the house ('cause I think you were working from home before, or am I making that up?) goes - not to mention working with the hubby!

[Elise]

Great, a crockpot version! I love those carnitas. I think my next kitchen purchase will be a crockpot just to cook dishes like this in it.

[Shel]

That is not carnitas as carnitas are fried. You have described something that might be called birria but with pork, or barbacoa which is like cooked pork in a pit. Very soft and tender.

Great!