Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Caribbean Pork over Rice

Caribbean Pork over Rice

This recipe comes from on my my favorite freezer meal recipe books, Dream Dinners. I haven't actually worked up to an all day cooking for the entire month session, however every weekend I try to make something I can triple, or more. This way I am gradually building of my freezer supply. A couple of weeks this has come in handy when the budget does not allow for a large shopping trip. I just check the freezer and supplement a couple of that week's meals with freezer meals. This meal is tasty, and VERY easy to make! I've got some in the freezer that I can't wait to get out and heat up!

Start off by placing a lean pork loin in a crockpot, cover it with canned low-sodium chicken broth, and simmer for eight hours on low. The pork will shred easily when you pull the meat apart with two forks.

Ingredients:

For One Dinner that feeds 6

4 cups (1½ pounds) shredded cooked pork
2 cups canned chicken broth
½ cup light unsweetened coconut milk
2 teaspoons jerk seasoning(couldn't find, I substituted a creole seasoning)
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1 cup uncooked white rice for serving
½ cup (4 ounces) sliced almonds for garnish

For Three Meals (freeze two)

12 cups (4½ pounds) shredded cooked pork
6 cups canned chicken broth
1½ cups light unsweetened coconut milk
2 tablespoons jerk seasoning
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
3 cups uncooked white rice for serving
1½ cups (12 ounces) sliced almonds for garnish

Instructions:

Putting the dinner together

Prepare the rice according to the package directions. In a large bowl, combine the pork, chicken broth, coconut milk, jerk seasoning, and orange zest and stir until incorporated. If you are preparing a triple batch, divide the mixture into three equal portions. Set aside one portion for tonight and divide the other two portions equally between two 1-gallon resealable freezer bags.

For dinner tonight

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meat mixture and bring to a boil. The pork should be heated through. Serve over the rice and garnish with the sliced almonds.

To freeze

Place ½ cup of the remaining sliced almonds into each of two 1-quart resealable freezer bags. Place 3 cups cooked and cooled rice in a 1-gallon resealable freezer bag. Place the bags of almonds, rice, and pork into a 1-gallon resealable freezer bag. Repeat with the remaining almonds, rice, and pork. Label, date, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before cooking as directed above. To reheat the rice, put the rice and ½ cup broth or water in a dish. Cover and cook in the microwave for 1-minute intervals until the broth is absorbed.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Mexican meatball soup

Meatballs:

2lbs lean ground beef
1 small can diced green chilies
1/2 bunch green onions - chopped
2 cloves garlic - minced or pressed
1/2 bunch cilantro - chopped
1/4 cup rice
1 egg
salt/pepper/hot sauce to taste
Preheat oven to 400˚. Combine all ingredients by hand and roll into 1″ meatballs, bake on a cookie sheet for 10 - 12 minutes. Place on a papertowel to absorb grease. Set aside

Broth:
2qts water
2 - 3 tablespoons beef base (or use two cans beef broth and reduce water by 1 qt)
1 clove garlic minced
1 small can diced green chilies
2 cans diced tomatoes (feel free to use fresh, in season)
1/2 bunch green onions -chopped
1/2 bunch cilantro - chopped
1/4 cup rice
salt/pepper/hot sauce to taste
Bring water, beef base, garlic, chilies, and tomatoes to a roiling boil. Add meatballs and rice. Reduce the heat and simmer until the rice is soft. Add cilantro, green onions, and season to taste, simmering for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
Serve hot with fresh, warm flour tortillas.