Cherry Jalapeno Mexican Pork Food

CHERRY JALAPENO MEXICAN PORK

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan with a lid over medium heat, and cook and stir the onion, green bell pepper, green onions, jalapeno pepper, and garlic until softened, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in the pork, cherries, cilantro, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, and onion powder, and mix well. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook until the pork is cooked through and no longer pink, and the vegetables and cherries have given up their juices, about 30 minutes.
• Remove the lid, stir in the honey, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer uncovered until the sauce reduces and the pork is tender, about 30 more minutes. The sauce won't be extremely thick.

APPLE-CHERRY-JALAPEñO RIBS

Steps:

• Heat a charcoal grill and prepare for indirect grilling: Bank the coals to one side, leaving the other side empty. Set up a drip pan on the empty side. Let the fire burn down to a low heat (250 degrees F).
• Make the dry rub: Combine the brown sugar, paprika, garlic salt, onion salt, chili powder, cayenne, oregano, cumin and 3/4 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl. Remove 2 tablespoons of the rub and set aside for the liquid seasoning.
• Prepare the ribs: Working with one rack at a time, slide a paring knife between the bone and the membrane, then pull off the membrane. Generously season the ribs all over with salt. Generously apply the dry rub on both sides.
• Place the ribs bone-side down on the cooler side of the grill over the drip pan. Cover the grill and cook until the meat is well browned, about 2 hours 15 minutes, adding more charcoal as needed. Transfer each rack to a large double layer of foil.
• Make the liquid seasoning: Combine the cherries, apple juice, jalapeño, brown sugar, honey and the reserved 2 tablespoons dry rub in a food processor and liquefy. Measure out 1 cup of the liquid seasoning and set it aside for the glaze. Brush the remaining liquid seasoning on the ribs and tightly wrap in the foil. Return to the cooler side of the grill, cover the grill and cook until the ribs are tender, about 1 more hour.
• Make the glaze: Combine the barbecue sauce with the reserved 1 cup liquid seasoning in a small bowl. Remove the ribs from the grill and unwrap. Brush the glaze on both sides. Return to the grill over direct heat. Cover the grill and cook, turning the ribs halfway through, until caramelized, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

JALAPEñO-MARINATED GRILLED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat; lightly oil grate. Pat pork chops dry and season generously all over with salt and pepper. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and let sit at room temperature at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, toast coriander seeds in a dry small skillet over medium heat, tossing often, until golden brown and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer seeds to a cutting board and let cool. Using a flat-bottomed mug or a heavy skillet, lightly crush. Place in a small bowl and add vinegar, sugar, and 1/2 cup oil. Season with salt and pepper and whisk until sugar and salt are dissolved. Set marinade aside.
• Toss jalapeños and 1 Tbsp. oil in a small bowl to coat; season with salt and pepper. Pat pork chops dry again (the salt will have drawn out more moisture) and rub with remaining 2 Tbsp. oil. Grill jalapeños, turning often, until softened and blackened in spots, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board. Grill pork chops, turning every 2 minutes or so, until cooked through but still medium-rare closest to the bone (an instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should register 145°F), 8-12 minutes. Transfer to cutting board and let rest 10-15 minutes.
• Cut pork along the bone to remove meat in one piece; slice 1/2" thick and transfer to a rimmed platter. Slice jalapeños crosswise into rounds and scatter over pork. Pour reserved marinade over and let sit at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour before serving. To serve, scatter onion over.

PORK MEDALLIONS WITH CHERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Season the pork medallions with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and pepper. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over a medium-high heat and cook the meat until there is just a slight blush in the center about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the meat to a plate and tent with foil.
• Add the remaining teaspoon of oil and the shallots to the pan and saute until they begin to soften, about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth, balsamic vinegar, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt and the cherries and cook until the liquid is reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour the sauce over the pork medallions and serve.

PEPPERED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH CHERRY SALSA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• In a bowl stir together cherries, lime juice, zest, onion, jalapeño, and coriander.
• Season pork with salt and press peppercorns into it. In a large heavy skillet heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and brown pork on all sides.
• Transfer pork to a shallow baking dish and roast in oven until a meat thermometer registers 155°F., about 20 minutes. Transfer pork to a cutting board and let stand 5 to 10 minutes. Slice pork into 1/2-inch-thick medallions and serve with salsa.

CHIPOTLE CHERRY BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add the onion and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5-6 minutes.
• Add the remaining ingredients and cook over medium heat, stirring until bubbling, about 5 more minutes.
• Move the mixture to a food processor and blend until smooth.
• Transfer to a bowl and let cool before you use it.
• The glaze can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. Enjoy!

PORK CARNITAS (MEXICAN SLOW COOKER PULLED PORK)

Steps:

• Rinse and pat dry pork with a paper towel.
• In the bowl of a 6-quart slow cooker, add pork, salt, pepper, oregano, cumin, onion, garlic, lime juice, orange juice, coke, and bay leaves.
• Cover and cook on low heat setting for 8-10 hours, or high heat for 5-6 hours (until the meat falls apart).
• Remove pork and shred with two forks (DO NOT DISCARD THE LIQUID!)

JOHNNY JALAPENO'S MEXICAN RICE

Steps:

• NOTE: This step is important as it removes the starch from the rice so it will not stick. --- Place rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold running water until water runs clear- about 1-2 minutes, stirring with your (clean) fingers or shaking rice around in the strainer. Shake afterwards also to remove excess water/moisture. Set aside.
• In a large measuring cup or bowl, whisk the broth and tomato paste (and hot sauce if using) to incorporate. Set aside.
• Heat grease/oil over medium high heat in a Dutch oven (or heavy pot). Add rice and stir until rice is translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
• Add the onion, jalapeno, and garlic. Saute' for 1-2 minutes until onion is translucent. Stir the broth/paste mixture into the rice. Increase heat to medium high, and bring to a boil.
• Once it begins to boil, give a final stir and reduce heat to low, cover pot and simmer 20 minutes.DO NOT REMOVE LID. Remove from heat and let sit for an additional 5 minutes STILL covered.
• Remove lid and stir, fluffing rice. NOTE: If you have little browned crispy rice at the bottom of the pan (not burnt), this is considered a delicacy in Mexico, so don't fight over it!