Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Pantry Raid for Cinco de Mayo

I didn't go to the store over the weekend for our weekly shopping and wasn't in the mood to go on Monday night. So...Pantry Raid!!!!

To start, there were two boneless pork loin chops. Perfect start.

Next step...it's a holiday, so let's go for something with a Mexican inspiration.



Take the chops and slice into thin strips and heavily season with a plethora of herbs and spices. Saute with some olive oil.

Saute 1/2 an onion and 1/2 a pepper in the pan with a little additional olive oil. Add a small bit of water or broth to deglaze the pan and start a seasoned sauce.

Add a can of diced tomatoes and the sliced pork back to the pan. Stir and simmer until heated through. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Serve up in tortillas.

Dress with a little shredded cheese, sour cream, guacomole...whatever you like.

This was actually really tasty. Highly seasoned, but not overly spicy! And I didn't have to go shopping!!!

Mexican Spiced Pork Tacos

2 boneless pork chops; sliced into thin strips
1 1/2 tsp chimayo chili pepper
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp salt
10 grinds black pepper
2 TB olive oil
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 can diced tomatoes
1 lime, juiced

Mix the first 8 ingredients together. Let sit for an hour (in the fridge).

Saute the pork strips, in batches, in the olive oil. Remove to a plate.

While the pan is still hot, add the oinion, garlic, peppers. Cook until they start to sweat and soften. Add 1/4 cup of water to deglaze the pan, releasing the toasted spices in the bottom of the pan. Simmer for a minute. Add the tomatoes and the pork. Stir and cook until heated through. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Use as a filling for tacos, for a main dish with rice/beans on the side. This would work well with chicken and probably beef, maybe even a firm white fish. Tasty.

5 comments:

Dancer in DC said...

I wouldn't mind having the pork cut into thinner strips than what's pictured, but otherwise I definitely liked this.

What's nice is that the sauce is a bit thicker, so it is conducive for tacos or tostadas, and doesn't get all drippy like a salsa would.

Anonymous said...

OK,
I would have had none of that in my pantry

ScottE. said...

Well Charlie...we'll have to give your pantry a make over...sure I have some things the average person doesn't, but it's good to have certain staples on hand for when you don't want to run to the store...

Stef said...

I looked at this post so fast I thought you really did say "PANTY Raid for Cinco de Mayo" and I thought, oh no, what have you boys been up to?!?

Cyber Glo said...

I'm a little late for El Cinco, but this looks awesome any day of the year! And what tasty libation should we drink with this???