Back when Judy and I were first married, we did a brief stint living and working in Miami. And while we didn’t stay in The Magic City long enough to lay down roots, I did manage to acquire a taste for cortados, fat cigars, and mojo pork.
Sadly, these Cuban delicacies are hard to come by here in the Northeast. But a few years ago I was lucky enough to receive an Instant Pot for Christmas, and with it, Melissa Clark’s cookbook, Dinner in an Instant. It’s chock-full of great recipes that have kept our pressure cooker in pretty much weekly use over the years.
But the one that I keep coming back to — and that always brings me back to my Miami days — is her “Garlicky Cuban Pork” (which also appears on the New York Times website here). Loaded with garlic, onions, cumin, two types of citrus… well, it’s a taste sensation. It’s also kind of a lot of work, which is why — even with the time-saving magic of barometric pressure — it has remained a weekend specialty for us.
That is, until my old friend Joe came to the rescue. A few weeks ago, I found this gem in my local TJ’s: Trader Joe’s Cuban Style Citrusy Garlic Seasoning Blend. I got me a nice fatty hunk of pork shoulder out of the freezer, seasoned it up, and popped it in the pot, just to see if it could compare.
You know what? Not bad! The dried spices don’t quite pack the punch of the natural, fresh ingredients, but it’s so convenient, it has turned this classic into a weeknight dish. You can use it in low-carb tortillas, lettuce wraps, or just dig in with a fork, like I do! It pairs nicely with a light cucumber salad.
I made it the other night, and figured I’d record a video for you all. This time, I used minced garlic from the jar and a fresh onion, so the seasoning mix didn’t have to do all the heavy lifting. It turned out pretty tasty, I must say, and I think this one’s going to be in the rotation for some time to come.
So if you happen to be in a Trader Joe’s sometime soon, give it a whirl. (Or click the Amazon affiliate links above, and if you end up buying anything, they’ll give me a little finder’s fee!)
Enjoy!
citrusy, garlicky, cubany pulled pork