Pork Tinga with Red Potatoes, Avocado and Queso Fresco - SRC

Slow cooker Pork Tinga is what's for dinner!  Oh my goodness the flavor...yum!  When I saw the list of ingredients in the recipe and noticed that the original recipe came from my favorite chef, Rick Bayless, I was indeed ready to break out the slow cooker.

I did have a question first, "What in the world is a tinga?"  Good question, isn't it?  I imagine if I am going to make something I should have a good idea of exactly what it is.  Well, a tinga is quite simply a Mexican meat dish that originated in Puebla, Mexico.  It can be made with chicken or pork and sausage, in this case, chorizo, and slow cooked in a spicy red sauce.  It is stew-like and after being in the slow cooker for six hours, the meats breakdown and are easy to shred.  Traditionally, it is served as a taco filling.  

We elected to serve it in a shallow bowl with the tortillas on side allowing each person to use it as a taco filling or eat it as a stew.  Our medium-size potatoes didn't lend themselves to the inside of a tortilla without being broken apart.  (And as I prepare this post, I notice that I was supposed to quarter the potatoes....that would have made the difference....read everything before doing anything comes to mind.)  So, there isn't really a right or wrong way to eat this delicious dish: break down the meat and potatoes and fill up your tortilla with this delicious tinga or just dig in with a spoon!

And where did I find this gem of a recipe?  I was perusing Ashley's blog, Cheese Curd in Paradise, for this month's Secret Recipe Club.  Ashley's blog is a compilation of recipes (and there are numerous) and a family journal sharing weekly adventures with her family...she has two very busy young sons!  What an energetic lady!

I knew at first glance that the Pork Tinga was going to be my SRC selection but I did bookmark two other recipes that I know I must prepare:  Ina's Seafood Stew and Julia's Potatoes Dauphinois.  Both are certain to be hits at our house.  Thank you, Ashley.


Pork Tinga 
with Red Potatoes, Avocado and Queso Fresco
adapted from Rick Bayless 

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 pound lean, boneless pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into 1-1/2 inch cubes
4 ounces chorizo sausage, removed from casing
4-5 medium red-skinned potatoes, quartered
1 large white onion, sliced 1/4-inch thick, and slices quartered
1 garlic clove, minced
1 28-ounce can fire roasted tomatoes, in juice
2-3 canned chipotle chiles en adobo, finely chopped
3-4 tsp adobo sauce 
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp dried oregano, Mexican if available
Salt, to taste

1 avocado, pitted, flesh scooped out and diced
1/2 cup crumbled Queso Fresco
2 Tbsp chopped cilantro leaves
Warm tortillas, corn (We had flour tortillas on hand and they worked out fine.)

In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. (If your slow cooker has an insert that can be used on the stovetop, use it instead of the skillet.)  Add the pork and chorizo in a single layer and cook, stirring until the meat has browned, about 6 to 8 minutes.  Turn off the heat and transfer the meat mixture to your slow cooker. (If you are using your insert, place it into the slow cooker.)

Add the quartered potatoes, onions, garlic, tomatoes with their liquid, chipotles, chipotle sauce, Worcestershire, oregano and 1/2 teaspoon salt.  Stir the mixture thoroughly.  Cook the mixture on high for six hours.

After six hours, gently stir the tinga.  If the sauce is too thick, add a small amount of water.  Taste and season with salt, if needed.  Scoop the mixture into a large bowl.  Sprinkle, with queso fresco, diced avocado and cilantro.  Serve with warm tortillas

Note:  Chipotle chiles and adobo sauce are spicy hot.  You may want to adjust the amounts to match your palate.  I usually start with the smaller amounts and increase as desired.



Thanks so Ashley, it looks as though I have another recipe to add to the rotation!


Comments

  1. This sounds good, gonna save it for a cool fall Saturday:@)

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  2. I love Rick Bayliss too and can't wait to try this wonderful slow cooker recipe. Great SRC choice this month.

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  3. This is a new dish to me but I've love the way you've served it in individual bowls. So full of such fun flavors too.
    Sam

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  4. Kate, This is my kind of dinner! Pork Tinga sounds perfect although I might make it a little spicier. My wife and I both like the heat! Load up my warm tortillas and I'd be a happy camper! And oh yes...What! Your supposed to read the instructions? I will admit that this is a weakness on my part...big time! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

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  5. Now you're speaking my language! Slow cookers are great for cooking pork and then combining it with chorizo with a Mexican flair - oh be still my heart! This will definitely be on the dinner table soon with lots of tortillas and avocado. So glad you chose this one to share.

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  6. I like the idea of serving it as a stew! It's a unique twist and makes such a pretty plating! Great choice for this month's SRC.

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  7. This looks delicious! I had you and made your pumpkin scones. They were an enormous hit. My kids begged and begged for them. We made them twice in three days. Thank you so much.

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  8. That was the question I had as well. For me, it's read everything twice then act. The dish looks delicious and it's on our list.

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  9. Wow, this looks right up my Southwestern Food alley. And love the crockpot version. And yes, I do haver an crockpot insert that will allow me to stovetop brown. I love that! Pinned.

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  10. i adore rick bayless recipes (and the man himself!), but i've only ever made chicken tinga! pork tinga is officially on my list of things to make asap! :)

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