What to do with very rich asada pulled pork?

[Tyche]

Hi friends! Long time lurker and admirer of all you wonderful cooks. I need your advice.

About 6 months ago I threw into the oven a pork butt with typical asada seasoning - citrus juice, cumin, ground chile, chipotle, beer, etc. I guess I didn't watch to add enough liquid, or cooked it too long, because I ended up with an absolutely delicious, very tender, very rich pork mixture and I can't separate the fat. Think Mexican pulled pork pate.

I was hoping my sons and their friends might come visit, so I could throw it in a burrito or something (they'll eat anything!) but I pulled it out of the freezer yesterday and need to do something with it. It's too rich for me to just throw in a taco or enchilada. Any suggestions to cut the fat a bit and make some ready meals? Thanks so much!

[Kali]

1. get a lean pork roast like a loin

cook, shred and mix?

put back in freezer.

[Tyche]

4. That's a great idea!

I have some lean pork chops in the freezer.

[mitch96]

10. +1 like dilueting the mix with "new" cooked but unseasoned pork.

Maybe add red beans and give it a chili flare?
m

[intrepidity]

2. Or add some diced cooked potatoes?

I often add potatoe to taco mixtures to stretch it.

[Tyche]

5. Thanks! Should I dice

and par boil first? I think that would work for burritos to freeze for later.

[intrepidity]

9. Here's what I would do

I'd shred/grate a raw potato, then add it to the rich meat at about 1:2 ratio (2 parts meat + 1 part potato; perhaps even 1:1) and then cook it for maybe 5-8minutes, to heat the meat and to take the raw off the potato).

Then, heat some oil in a skillet, throw a corn tortilla down, put a small scoop of the meat mixture (no more than 1T) on the tortilla, then fold the tortilla over to make a taco. Press it down to spead the meat. Lightly brown on both sides.

Drain on paper towels--I put them perpendicular them so the meat fat can drain out--in a large bowl, using the sides of the bowl to prop them up.

Add some shredded sharp cheddar cheese, maybe some shredded lettuce or cabbage, maybe diced tomatoes or salsa, maybe some diced onion. Maybe even a bit of sour cream and some Sriracha.

Best.tacos.ever.

[lillypaddle]

13. Everything is sounding good to me

What else is new?

[msongs]

3. maybe if u cover with water and make soup the fat will float to the top for skimming nt

[Tyche]

6. I tried that,

but with beer and water. Just made it extra delicious! but rich.

[wyn borkins]

7. After It Thaws, Slice A Portion (Butt Not All)

Into about one-inch chunks and simmer in a kettle

For a bit of time until warmed through, then add

A nice grouping of largely-trimmed vegetables

And allow to cook until the vegetables are

Fork-tender and nearly ready to serve

Spill onto a platter of penne & enjoy

[lillypaddle]

12. That sounds good!

Yum

[rubbersole]

8. Smoke some weed,

Then wait 30 minutes. It will taste great.

[Tyche]

15. Ha!!

I'll leave that to my sons. Now that it's legal I find I don't care for it much.

[lillypaddle]

11. I had some leftover pork in chili sauce

that was very rich. I was in the same boat as you. I wound up putting some of it over thin spaghetti pasta I had lightly sauteed in garlic, and topped it with some cilantro and queso fresco. Because of the richness, I didn't use much of it just lightly coated the pasta with it. It was pretty good. A salad with a vinaigrette dressing helped break the richness.

I'm just learning to cook with dried chilies. Welcome to the group!

[Tyche]

14. What wonderful ideas! Thanks everyone!

I think I'll try half (there's about two pounds) with the potatoes to make tacos and chimichangas to freeze, and turn the rest into a chili/bean/corn thing to spoon over pasta.

Tomorrow's my cooking day - I'll let you know how it turns out!

[intrepidity]

16. If you also have fresh corn on hand

In my experience, adding some fresh sweet corn kernals to the taco mixture is *never* a bad idea...

yummmmmm

[Retrograde]

17. Think Asian!

Chop it up into a fine mince, then serve it wrapped in lettuce leaves. Or do a stir-fry with whatever veggies to serve on rice.

Pulled pork sandwiches are also good - maybe with some Mexican-style pickled onions to cut the fat a bit.

And if all else fails, chop the meat finely, add beans, and make chili. Although pulled pork pate does sound pretty good, in small quantities - maybe as an appetizer?