Pork Larb With Fresh Herbs Food

PORK TAMALES

Steps:

• Make the filling: Put the pork in a deep saucepan and cover with cold water (about 6 cups). Add 2 teaspoons salt, the onion, thyme, oregano, bay leaves and peppercorns; cover and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the pork is tender, 1 hour, 30 minutes to 2 hours. Transfer the pork to a plate and shred. Strain and reserve the cooking liquid; keep warm.
• Meanwhile, soak the corn husks in a bowl of hot water, using a plate to keep them submerged, until pliable, 1 hour.
• Combine the pork, cumin, 1/3 cup chili powder, the garlic, flour, sugar, vegetable oil and 1 cup of the reserved cooking liquid in a large skillet. Bring to a simmer over medium heat; cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the dough: Mix the masa harina, lard, 2 teaspoons salt, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon chili powder and 2 2/3 cups of the reserved cooking liquid in a bowl until combined.
• Drain the husks and pat dry. Starting 1/2 inch from the wide end, spread about 3 tablespoons of the dough down a husk, leaving a 1-inch border on the sides. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the pork filling down the center of the dough, then fold in the sides of the husk, wrapping the dough around the filling. Fold up the narrow end of the husk. Repeat with the remaining husks, dough and filling.
• Set a steamer basket in a large pot filled with 1 to 2 inches of water. Arrange the tamales standing up in the steamer, folded-side down. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, cover and steam until the dough is firm, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from the steamer and let cool slightly before unwrapping.

PULLED PORK ENCHILADA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400˚. Coat an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. Spread 1/2 cup enchilada sauce in the bottom of the pan and top with 3 corn tortillas, slightly overlapping and cutting as needed to fit. Top with half each of the pork, beans and corn; sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese. Top with 3 more tortillas and spread with another 1/2 cup enchilada sauce. Top with the remaining pork, beans and corn and sprinkle with another 1/2 cup cheese. Top with the remaining 4 tortillas; spread the remaining enchilada sauce on top.
• Cover with foil and bake until hot and bubbling around the edges, 20 to 25 minutes. Uncover, top with the remaining 1 cup cheese and continue to bake until melted and bubbling all over, about 10 minutes. Top each serving with sour cream, scallions and cilantro.

CHAR SIU

Steps:

• To make the marinade, stir the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ketchup, oyster sauce, 1/4 cup of the honey, the sugar, sherry, ginger, five-spice powder and food coloring if using together in a large bowl. Set aside.
• Cut the pork into strips 6 inches long and 3 inches wide. Place the strips flat in a shallow baking dish. Pour the marinade over the pork strips and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
• When ready to roast the pork, position one rack to the lowest part of the oven and another rack about 5 inches above it. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Drain the pork; place the marinade in a small saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 1/4 cup honey.
• Place a shallow roasting pan on the bottom rack of the oven and fill the pan about three-quarters full with water. Carefully place the pork strips on the oven rack above the roasting pan so all sides of the pork strips are exposed to heat and all are over the pan to catch drips.
• Roast the pork for 30 minutes. Baste the pork strips with the honey mixture and roast for 15 minutes and baste again. Roast until the pork strips are crisp and golden brown, about 10 minutes longer.
• Remove the pork from the oven and let cool. To serve, slice the strips across into 1/2-inch strips and smother with reserved sauce.

PORK BBQ SAUCE

Steps:

• Add the brown sugar, vinegar, chili sauce, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce to small saucepan and stir to combine. Add the hot sauce, salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 20 minutes.