Join us in the kitchen today as we savor the taste of Mexico with a delicious and simple recipe for Pork Chimichangas, direct from Vicky’s Cocina Fácil! Chimichangas are a crowd-pleaser, stuffed with flavorful pork and deep-fried to golden perfection. Ideal for family gatherings or a fun weekend meal, these chimichangas can be altered to include a variety of fillings such as beans, cheese, chorizo, ham, or your favorite meats. This particular recipe will guide you through creating pork chimichangas that are sure to bring a piece of Mexico right to your dining table.
Ingredients:
For the pork:
- 750 grams of pork (leg, shoulder, or loin), cut into chunks
- 2 large bay leaves
- 2 cloves
- 5 black peppercorns
- 2 medium garlic cloves
- 1 piece of onion
- Coarse salt to taste
- Water as needed
For the filling:
- 3 ripe but firm tomatoes (approximately 350 grams), finely chopped
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 large jalapeño or cuaresmeño pepper, seeds removed and diced
- 1 medium garlic clove, finely minced
- A pinch of ground cumin
- Chicken bouillon powder (or salt), to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- Oil for sautéing
Additional Ingredients:
- Flour tortillas (20 cm in diameter preferred, but larger can be used)
- Grated cheese that melts well (such as Manchego, Mozzarella, Cheddar, Chihuahua)
- Refried beans
- Chopped lettuce for garnish
- 3 tomatoes (for salsa), finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
- 4 tablespoons onion, finely chopped
- 2 serrano peppers, or to taste, finely chopped
- 1/3 teaspoon coarse salt
- Avocado slices
- Sour cream
- Your favorite salsa
- Oil for frying
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Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 50 minutes (including meat cooking time)
Total Time: Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 4-6 servings
Instructions:
1. Start by cooking the pork. In a pressure cooker or regular pot, combine the pork chunks, bay leaves, cloves, black peppercorns, garlic, onion, a generous pinch of coarse salt, and enough water to cover the meat. If using a pressure cooker, be careful not to exceed two-thirds of its capacity. Bring to high heat until the cooker indicates pressure, then reduce the heat and cook for 20 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally before opening the pot. If using a regular pot, ensure the meat is always covered with water and cook for about 1.5 hours on high heat until tender.
2. Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the pot and discard the spices. Shred the meat using two forks until it's finely pulled apart.
3. To make the filling, heat about 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan over high heat. Sauté the chopped onions and minced garlic until they begin to soften.
4. Add the shredded pork to the pan and continue cooking for another 2 minutes, then incorporate the tomatoes, diced pepper, cumin, a quarter teaspoon of coarse salt, half a teaspoon of chicken bouillon powder, and ground black pepper to taste. Cook over high heat, stirring occasionally until the tomatoes are reduced and the mixture is well-seasoned (about 7 minutes).
5. Prepare the salsa by mixing the chopped tomatoes, cilantro, onion, serrano peppers, and 1/3 teaspoon of coarse salt in a bowl. Set aside.
6. To assemble the chimichangas, take a warm tortilla, spread some refried beans in the center, add a spoonful of the pork filling and sprinkle some grated cheese on top.
7. Fold the tortilla enclosing the filling, and secure it with toothpicks if necessary.
8. Heat oil in a deep frying pan, and fry each chimichanga until crisp and golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.
9. Serve hot, garnished with lettuce, topped with the fresh salsa prepared earlier, and with slices of avocado and a dollop of sour cream on the side.
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Equipment: Pressure cooker or regular pot, frying pan, mixing bowl.
Cooking Tips: When folding the chimichangas, wrap them tightly to prevent the filling from spilling out during frying. The right temperature of the oil is crucial to avoid soggy chimichangas.
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A big thank you to VICKY RECETA FACIL for sharing this fantastic recipe. To explore more of Vicky's delightful recipes, visit her YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@VICKYRECETAFACIL
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Hashtags: #mexicanfood #chimichangas #pork #delicious #homemade #vickyrecetafacil #chatgpt