Ropa Vieja - Home Cooked Recipe #80

I am a BIG fan of latin flavors. I was perusing the internet for a good Rope Vieja recipe to try, and decided to actually combine flavors from several different ones to come up with my own spin on this dish. Some of the ingredients are probably not traditional but it came out fantastic! Also, it's made in the slow cooker so it's a one pot dish that cooks itself which is super convenient. Give it a try!

Ropa Vieja

Ingredients:

• 2-3lb boneless chuck roast
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 bell peppers (any color), sliced
• 1/2 jar whole green olives w/pimentos (& brine)
• 1 can Rotel
• 16 ounces tomato sauce
• 2 cups beef broth
• 4 tbs ketchup
• 2 tbs apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbs cumin
• 1 tsp coriander
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp minced dried onion
• 1 tbs Adobo
• 1 packet Sazon
• freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
In a slow cooker, mix all ingredients from tomato sauce to black pepper. Stir in onion, peppers, olives, & Rotel. Place chuck roast over sauce, spooning some of the liquid over the top. Cook on high for 4 to 6 hours, or low for 8 hours.  Shred meat and return to liquid. Serve over rice. 
Enjoy!

Pork Carnitas - Crock*Pot Cafe 5

We love pulled pork in our house.  I wanted to jazz it up by making it carnitas style, with that bit of Latin flair.  Plus this is a great slow cooker recipe, because it cooks a LONG time, perfect for my long workdays.  You can serve it in tacos or enchiladas or as a sandwich.  Very versatile!

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Ingredients:

• 2-3 lb pork shoulder (aka pork butt, aka boston butt)
• 1 tbs chili powder
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp cumin
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp oregano
• 2 cups chicken broth
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 large onion, sliced into rings
• limes

Direction:
Cut pork roast into large cubes.
Combine spices and toss pork cubes with spices until well coated. Place in slow cooker. Sprinkle onion rings around.
Pour chicken broth around pork cubes (do NOT pour directly over).
Place cover on top and cook on low for 10+ hours.
When pork is cooked, shred with 2 forks. Preheat broiler.  Spread shredded pork on baking sheet. Broil for 3-5 minutes. Squeeze lime to taste over and toss well. Serve as desired (taco, sandwich, etc).
Enjoy!