Tuesday, April 30, 2013

2-in-1 Meal: Carnitas to Pulled Pork & Caramelized Onion Paninis


Like Missy I went the slow cooker route with a Mexican theme. We had a few friends over for dinner so night one I made carnitas in the crock pot for tacos and then Curtis and I used the leftover meat for paninis, and then more tacos, and then paninis again and it went on and on - we had enough shredded meat for several meals!

Night 1: Carnitas

Ingredients:
Pork Butt or Shoulder
Rub made up of your favorite spices
Chicken broth
Can of tomatoes
Onion
Garlic
Chilies (optional)

Tortillas
Your favorite taco toppings such as cheese, cabbage, salsa, onions, cilantro, avocado, lime wedges and sour cream.

A day (or two) ahead rub your pork all over with your favorite spices (I used a 7 lb. pork shoulder from Costco and rubbed it with taco seasoning, chili powder, brown sugar, cumin and a few other random things I had in the spice cabinet - there's really no science to it). Place fat side up in the slow cooker and put in the fridge until the day you're ready to cook it.

That morning pour in some chicken broth, canned tomatoes, large chunks of onion, fresh garlic and dried chilies if you'd like. Cook on high for 8 - 10 hours until the meat is falling apart.

Shred the meat and use as carnitas for tacos.

Night 2: Pulled Pork Paninis 

Sourdough bread
Leftover pork
BBQ sauce
Onions, caramelized
Provalone cheese

Pile everything on your sandwich and toast in a panini press or frying pan.

And because babies are cuter than tacos and sandwiches, here's the latest of Graham:

6 comments:

  1. Oh Graham cakes, he gets cuter and cuter. Look at him smiling! And this slow cooker recipe looks awesome!

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  2. OMG! Graham Cracker!!! I love that you, Missy and me all used something mexican inspired. I love pulled pork more than any other kind of meat, I think. This looks yummy!

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  3. 3 months????He is such a cutie! I love that smile.
    Your recipes sound good too. :)

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  4. Yummy! Those paninis sound super good. I just can't get past how freaking adorable that little Graham Cracker is though!

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  5. Those paninis were awesome. Husband approved!

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