Yesterday was a crazy busy day. I had looked at my schedule wrong and thought I didn't work until 4 but actually worked from 2 - 11. So 2 hours were gone from my day. Throw in an unexpected doctor appointment for the intense horrible pain in my shoulder and another hour is down the tubes. Thankfully it was a quick trip and I was soon home but still had things to do. I had set out pork stew meat earlier thinking I could figure out something to do with it. Pork stew meat is one of my favorite things to buy. It is so inexpensive and I can do so many different things with it. I almost always find it marked down at my grocery store so I had two packages for less than $2 each.
So I stood in front of my slow cooker looking at my pork stew meat and glanced over at my fruit bowl which held lemons and limes. Bingo! I seasoned the meat with my "house seasoning" (A big bowl of kosher salt, pepper, garlic powder, and seasoned salt that I use on everything I cook) and put it in the slow cooker. Then I added half a jar of green salsa from the pantry, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, cumin, paprika, and chili powder. I put the lid on, turned it on, then went off to do the rest of my housework. I did not measure my spices, I just threw in what seemed right for me. You all know how spicy you like things and you can always add more!
I ate a tuna sandwich before I left for work then gave the pork a stir and hoped for the best. I left instructions to put the pork into tortillas with black beans or rice and some cheese. When I returned from work I was so hungry! There were leftovers so I made myself a taco out of what I called Cuban Pork. I wasn't sure what to expect but it was so delicious! The pork with the black beans and some cheese and sour cream made for a pretty filling taco. We had enough for dinner, plus what I ate at midnight, and there is still plenty for lunches.
Pork stew meat is so versatile. There are lots different stews you could make. I've made a traditional stew with carrots and potatoes, or used sweet potatoes and peanuts to give it an African twist. I've gone the Asian route with it too but we are big fans of Mexican food here so that's how we use it most of the time. However you decide to use it just get some and use it!!
