Velveted Pork Tacos

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Cook Time: 20 minutes
Marinating Time: 30 minutes

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Ingredients

2 pounds boneless pork chops
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/3 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 package flour tortillas, 12 fajita or smaller size tortillas
1 bunch cilantro
1 red onion
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 8-oz can corn niblets
1 12-oz jar tomato salsa
1 8-oz carton sour cream, (regular or non-fat)
1 8-oz package shredded cheese
salt , to taste
pepper, to taste

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Cooking Directions

New USDA Guidelines

Cut pork chops into small, bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, mix together corn starch, oil, cumin and 1 teaspoon black pepper until smooth, like a runny paste. Add pork to mixture and set aside to marinate for 30 minutes.

While pork marinates, wash cilantro and pluck whole leaves from stems, about 3/4 cup worth. Place whole cilantro leaves in a bowl. Thinly slice 1 red onion and add to cilantro, creating a salad. (You can adjust cilantro/red onion ratio to taste.) Add a dash of black pepper, one tablespoon of vinegar and one tablespoon of olive oil, toss to coat and set aside.

After pork has marinated, cook it in batches. Add a teaspoon of olive oil to a non-stick sauté pan and place over medium-high heat. When oil comes to temperature, cook half the pork pieces (without removing the marinade). Cook until the outside of the pork pieces are brown and a crust has formed and the inside is cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. If needed, add more oil to the pan, and then cook the second half of the marinated pork. Once finished, sprinkle cooked pork with salt to taste.

To assemble tacos warm tortillas according to directions on the package. Take one tortilla and smear a teaspoon of sour cream down the middle. Top with 7-8 chunks of pork. Atop pork, place a spoonful of salsa, then top with cilantro red onion salad, a teaspoon of corn kernels and pinch of cheese. Fold over to enjoy!

Makes 6 servings (12 tacos)


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Serving Suggestions

Recipe courtesy of Carolina Buia and Isabel Gonzalez, co-authors of Latin Chic: Entertaining with Style and Sass. For a tapas version of this recipe, make the tacos smaller and seal with bamboo toothpicks.


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Nutrition

Calories: 950 calories
Protein: 44 grams
Fat: 57 grams
Sodium: 1110 milligrams
Cholesterol: 155 milligrams
Saturated Fat: 23 grams
Carbohydrates: 53 grams
Fiber: 3 grams

Random Safety Tip:
Cover a plate with plastic wrap to carry pork to the grill. Throw away. Use the clean plate carry food back in!

 
 
 
Recipe Details

Ratings

 
 
 
Buying/Handling/Storing Tip:

The best way to defrost pork is in the refrigerator in its wrapping. Defrosting a 1 inch chop will take 12-14 hours.


Other Pork Buying/Handling/Storing Tips
Ask Your Butcher
It’s important to note that all pork chops cook the same. The length of cooking primarily depends on the thickness of the chop. Thickness can vary from ½ to 2 inches. Whether you choose chops boneless for convenience or chops with the bone attached for their attractive appearance, the cooking time is the same. Pork chops are likely the least intimidating of all pork cuts because they are so easy to prepare.
More Butcher Tips
About the Cut
Pork chops are the most popular cut from the pork loin, which is the strip of meat that runs from the pig’s hip to shoulder. Depending on where they originate, pork chops can be found under a variety of names, including loin, rib, sirloin, top loin and blade chops.
Learn About the Pork Cuts
Cooking Method: Sauteing
COOKING BASICS:
1)Heat a small amount of oil in a large heavy skillet over a medium-high heat.
2)Place pork in skillet; do not cover.
3)Cook pork uncovered, turning occasionally. For stir-frying, cook over high heat, stirring constantly.

More about this cooking method
 
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