Salsa Verde Carnitas & El Torito Dressing

Salsa Verde Carnitas
(from Simply Recipes)

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 pounds pork butt (pork shoulder)
• 2 cups salsa verde, bottled, canned, or homemade
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
• 2 teaspoons coriander seeds
• 1 Tbsp fresh chopped oregano (or 1 teas dried)
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Salt

• 12 to 16 corn tortillas, heated and softened
• 1 avocado, peeled, seeded, and chopped
• 1/2 cup crumbled Cotija Mexican farmer's cheese, or some grated Monterey Jack cheese
• Crema fresca, crema Mexican, or sour cream
• Chopped cilantro leaves for garnish

Method

1 Trim the excess fat from the roast. Put the meat in a large casserole or Dutch oven with salsa verde, onion, stock, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and oregano. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat, cover, and simmer until meat is very tender when pierced, about 3 hours.

2 Preheat oven to 400°F. Remove meat from liquid in pot and put the meat into a roasting pan. With 2 forks, tear meat into large shreds. Roast meat for 15 to 20 minutes until parts are brown and crispy.

3. While the meat is roasting, skim and discard fat from liquid in the casserole pan. Boil juices, stirring, until reduced to 2 1/2 cups, 8 to 10 minutes.

4 Return the meat to the Dutch oven. Stir in chopped cilantro. Season with salt.

Serves 6.

This salad is from one of my favorite Mexican Restaurants in CA called El Torito. They actually sell the dressing in grocery stores in CA, but I like this version much better!

El Torito Salad Dressing

• 1 Tbsp Original Ranch Salad Dressing Mix (Dry Mix)
• 1 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
• 1/2 c. Low-Fat Buttermilk
• 1/2 to 2/3 cup Fresh Cilantro (long stems cut off)
• 2 Tbsp Roasted & Salted Pepitas
• 1 1/2 to 2 tbsp Finely Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1/3 c. Vegetable Oil
• Salt & Pepper
  

In blender combine all ingredients except oil. Whip or process until well bended or mixture is green. Slowly add oil through top cover of blender jar while motor is running. Process until dressing is smooth. Add Salt & Pepper to taste. If needed, refrigerate until well chilled. Serve as desired over chilled greens sprinkled with extra Pepitas.

El Torito Salad

• Romaine Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Avocados
• Pepitas
• Queso Fresco
• Tortilla Strips

Enjoy!!!

~Amy