My oldest daughter is in Kindergarten now, and out here they do full day Kindergarten, which can be good and bad. Before she started going I pictured days of endless, blissful free time. Reading for hours to my son, taking naps, shopping, consecutive lunch dates, ha! My life is busier then ever! It's not exactly like I have a whole lot MORE to do, but my days just feel longer. By the time we have reading and homework done, making dinner is about the last thing I want to do anymore. It's taken me a while to figure out how to get a good meal on the table without burning myself out. Enter crockpot, hello old friend.
The best part about crockpot meals is that you can sit down to a delicious hot dinner that you really don't even feel like you made. And though you actually did make, it only took you minutes that morning. This pork is just mouthwatering, we've already had it twice and I'm making it again tomorrow! I serve it in flour tortillas with salsa verde and sour cream, and it is slurpy, drippy heaven. In the directions it says to sear each side of the pork after rubbing it in salt, pepper and garlic. Be sure not to skip that step, I got lazy the second time around and didn't do it, it made a huge difference. The flavor is much richer when you sear in that garlic.
Slow-Cooker Pork Loin Carnitas
Fresh Food Fast by Cooking Light
Ingredients
1 (1 1/2 lb) boneless pork loin roast, trimmed
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
8 garlic cloves minced
cooking spray
1/2 cup water
2 cups chicken broth
Directions
1. Rub pork with salt, pepper and garlic. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add pork; cook three minutes on each side or until browned. Transfer pork to a 5-quart round electric slow cooker coated with cooking spray. Add stock to pan, scraping to loosen browned bits; cook 2 minutes. Pour stock mixture over pork; add water. Cover and cook on LOW 8 hours or until tender.
2. Remove pork from slow cooker, and place in a medium bowl. Pour broth into a medium skillet. Bring to a boil over high heat; boil 5 minutes or until reduced to 2/3 cup.
3. While broth reduces, shred pork using 2 forks. Stir in broth reduction.
4. Serve in warmed flour tortillas, top with salsa verde and sour cream.
This is why I didn't get the greatest picture. My husband could only wait for so long!
How do you amazing parents fit dinner in between school, homework, sports, dance...? Any tips for the newbie?
28 comments:
Oh my gosh... I know exactly how you feel! My daughter started kinder this year, too, and I thought I would have so much more time to spend one-on-one with my 2 year old son (much like the time I spent with my daughter when she was that age). Nope.... so crazy busy!!! Glad I'm not the only one!
All day long Kindergarten? I couldn't handle that.
First of all, I love that pic of your husband's hand reaching for the dish. Ha! It's just like at my house. I love pork loin in the slow-cooker and will have to try this one. Pork loin tacos...here I come!
I do a lot of my cooking during the weekdays when it's just me and Jackson. I like to cook when it's peaceful and quiet. Sometimes he comes in the kitchen with me, which is fun. I try to have a lot of the prep for dinner done before # 2 gets off the bus with all her drama. You never know what's going to be coming through that door at 3pm. However, sometimes I just have to set them in front of the TV and let them watch a show while I make dinner. Or, I just let them argue and tune them out - LOL! Oh dear. Did I just say that?
Yep, we're adults still hating homework..ha! The pork sounds like the perfect answer for the school day rush.
I love my crockpot for that reason, too. It is SUCH a snap to use!! I like to make ahead some dishes, like soups. Also, half-roast potatoes and sweet potatoes beforehand, stick in fridge, and then finish cooking them when I need them.
I love a good crockpot recipe! This looks great! My 2 kids are still in preschool...M, W, and Friday..for half the day. It's so funny cause I'm so busy now...even with both of them are in preschool. Which explains my absence from blogging at times. My daughter will be starting Kindergarden next year and for some reason I have a feeling I will be busier then ever once that starts. Crockpot meals are great for us busy mommies ;)
This looks and sounds delicious! I just got a slow cooker so this will be added to my list of must tries! Thanks!
Pork Loin in the slow cooker always turns out moist and flavorful. I would have grabbed some great bbq sauce and some buns, and called it dinner at my house.
I do most of my cooking on the weekend. Sunday is our special day that family and friends gather for a homestyle meal(usually on our back porch). It's my way of ensuring that at least once a week, we have a good meal on the table.
What a great idea for dinner and so delicious too. Just looking at it, no one would have any idea that you hadn't spent all day in the kitchen making it. By the way, I'm holding a giveaway on my blog for Orglamix Organic makeup and you're welcome to come by and enter. http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/2010/12/orglamix-organic-mineral-makeup-review.html
The crock pot rocks. I use it on the regular. In fact, I am making pulled pork for Josh right now in ours!
It is hard to go wrong with this recipe. Your recipe and technique will make for wonderful meals. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary
That looks delicious Teresa - I don't take advantage of my crock pot near enough.
No tips from me - I was a single parent until Hannah was 8 and I worked full time.
I think I made pasta about every other night though because it was so quick! Oh, and beef tacos were our other go to.
My kids are grown now. My youngest is in high school now. I had many years (and still do) of soccer, dance classes, and homework etc. You're on the right track, the crock pot is a great resource also any make ahead meals. I stress the importance of the family dinner.
I remember when Colin started school Annette asked me why I looked so frazzled all the time...was I really that much busier? And I couldn't answer why!!! It totally doesn't make sense that you get busier when kids start school but it is exactly what happens! I'm glad I'm not the only one :) this recipe looks so good and I just love crockpot recipes. Keep posting them!! :)
I love meat cooked in the slow cooker! It turns out insanely tender and leftovers are the best! I like to do some of my prep for dinner during the afternoon - whatever I can do - whether it be prepping vegetables/making a salad/ getting a side dish ready for the oven or throwing together the sauce/dressing.
I don't know either lol I need a slow cooker I think he he
its tough being a mum
rebecca
This looks SOOOO good, Teresa, I will have to give it a try. Thanks for sharing :)
I have a slow cooker...I just don't ever think to use it.
I just had to laugh at this. Every summer I think it will be so much easier once the kids start school and every fall I wish for the laid back days of summer again where we ate whenever we felt like it. I find that with kids in elementary through high school, that I have to at least get started cooking before they come home. If I've even chopped one thing by then, somehow it seems more approachable. The shredded pork looks great!
One of my all time favorite meals. YUM
I love shredded pork... this looks delicious.
For me, we stick to a routine so we all know what to expect. My kids do their homework at 5:00 every night while I make dinner. That way I can help them and prepare the food at the same time.
I need to use my slow cooker more often. I would love the smell of the pork simmering all day.
Wow that sounds good, I don't use my Crockpot near enough. I am going to make this next weekend!
I asked Santa for a crock pot....
Oooh. It's been awhile since I made pork taco (carnitas) meat in my crock pot. This looks and sounds delicious!
I agree...my oldest is now in kindergarten and I am easily busier now than ever! No tips...I'm a newbie too. Good luck. I wonder if anyone ever really feels like they get the hang of it or if they just survive through the years of raising their children and running from one thing to the next, then after the whirlwind is over and the kiddos are off to college and/or life, they look around going, "Wow. What now?" lol.
Teresa, you have given me a great recipe here! I love using my Slow Cooker and am always looking for recipes. I am going to try this one. I might have to use a little less garlic because I get tummy pain if I use too much. I like to throw a roast in the cooker and a package of Lipton Onion Soup Mix, a whole, cut up onion, some garlic, a can of beef broth and a little coffee. You can also do round steak with the same ingredients but add a mild green pepper and a can of tomato sauce to it. The meat gets so tender after cooking all day. By the way, I found you in my Daughter, theungourmet's comments. Have a wonderful day!
I'm in! Love pork.
~ingrid
I know the feeling - I thought I'd feel like I had more time to get everything done once I stopped working, but I feel busier than ever now!! This is a great recipe for busy mommas!
Our youngest is older, 11. During football season with it's 2 hour practices, we alternate nights. One night I'm responsible for taking him. The next night I'm responsible for cleaning, getting dinner ready. It doesn't burn us out that way.
You'll find what works for you. The crock pot helps.
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