Pulled Pork Tacos & Almost Homemade Tomato Soup

Pulled Pork Tacos - Serves Six to Eight

Ingredients for the Pulled Pork:

2 pound pork shoulder roast
1 (15 oz.) can beef broth
4 cloves garlic, put through a press
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons lemon pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Plenty of corn tortillas to serve with Cabbage Salad and Pickled Onions

Cabbage Salad

In a large bowl place the lettuce, onion, avocado, tomatoes, cilantro, and radishes. Whisk together the vinegar and olive oil, pour the mixture over the ingredients in the bowl, and gently toss. Sprinkle the cotija cheese on top.

Pickled Onions

Place the red onion slices in a shallow bowl and pour white vinegar over them. If desired, add a pinch of salt and/or sugar. Allow them to sit for 10 minutes, then drain them and add them to the salad mixture.

Directions:

Heat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit or get out your crock pot and set it on high. Pour the beef broth into a deep baking pan or into the crock pot.

In a small bowl, combine the garlic, lime juice, olive oil, lemon pepper, chili powder and smoked paprika. Trim any excess fat and remove any string from the roast. Rub the garlic mixture into the roast.

Lower the spice rubbed roast into the baking pan or the crock pot. Cover the baking pan with foil or put the lid on the crock pot. Allow the roast to cook for 4 to 5 hours or until the meat is easily shredded with a fork.

Remove the roast from the pan or pot and place on serving platter. Scrape away any excess fat. Using two forks, shred the meat. Spoon some of the cooking liquid onto meat.
Serve with warm corn tortillas, Cabbage Salad and Pickled Onions.

Sort of Homemade Tomato Soup - Serves Four

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 slices good bread
2 garlic cloves, put through a press
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 (15 oz.) can chopped tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup evaporated milk
Cream or extra evaporated milk for drizzling

Directions: 

Make croutons by cutting the bread slices into cubes. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet and add bread cubes. Cook the bread crumbs about 2 to 3 minutes on each side until browned. Set aside.

Heat the olive oil in a soup pan. Add the garlic and basil leaves. Saute them for 30 seconds. Add the tomato sauce, chopped tomatoes, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, turn down heat and simmer for five minutes. Take off the heat. Stir in the evaporated milk. Pour into bowls and serve with croutons floating on top. Drizzle with some cream or extra evaporated milk if desired.

Jenn's Favorite Curried Chicken Salad & Chickpea Salad with Lemony Salted Yogurt and Plenty of Dill

Jennifer's Favorite Curried Chicken Salad 

 Ingredients for Four Servings:

2 cups cooked chicken

, cut into bite sized pieces
1 apple, diced (Granny Smith is best if you have it)
2 tablespoons diced celery
2 tablespoons dried raisins
2 tablespoons chopped nuts (pecans are great, but any or none will do)
2 tablespoons diced onion (white, yellow, red or green)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons sweet curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Combine the chicken, apple, celery, raisins, nuts  and onions in a bowl. Whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, curry powder, salt and pepper. Add enough of the mayonnaise mixture to the chicken combination to coat it well, but not have the chicken be swimming in it. Serve on top of greens.

Chickpea Salad with Lemony Salted Yogurt and Plenty of Dill

Ingredients for Two Servings

1 (15 oz.) can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 medium tomato, diced
1 avocado, diced
1/2 medium cucumber, diced
1 tablespoon diced red onion
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon dried dill
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 bunch of fresh dill and pita bread for serving

Gently combine all chickpeas, tomato, avocado, onion, olive oil, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper and garlic powder in a bowl. Whisk together yogurt, lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Divide chickpea mixture between two plates. Put 2 tablespoons of  yogurt mixture to side. Serve with pita and fresh dill.