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Healthy Dinner Recipes: Cinco de Mayo

I love these Carnitas. They are becoming tradition at my house every Cinco de Mayo. They have an interesting beginning: the story. I must admit I think about it every time I make these. Though as I get older (and dare I say it wiser) I realize that there is a positive upside to the end of a relationship, space has now opened in your life for new people, experiences and in this case... super yummy Carnitas.

Dinner was delicious. I turned them into little "tacos" or lettuce wraps.

Butter Lettuce leaves, Crockpot Carnitas, sliced Avocado, a sprinkle of Cotija Cheese, Squeeze of Lime. Delicioso!

Shelly's Crock Pot Carnitas

One 2 to 3 lb. Pork Roast (Boneless Picnic Roast)
1 yellow Onion, sliced
3 cloves of Garlic, sliced
2 Teaspoons Ground Cumin
1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
A few twists of Black Pepper to taste
1 cup Salsa
1/4 cup Water
Olive Oil

Place pork roast in a stock pot and brown slightly on both sides about 3 minutes a side. Place in crock pot. Saute onions till slightly golden. Add garlic. Cook 1 minute. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and cumin. Pour over roast. Pour salsa (I prefer the fresh, refrigerated section salsa versus jarred but jarred will work too) and water over roast.

Cook on low for 8 hours or until very tender. When done, remove from crock pot, take two forks and pull the pork apart. Pour juices over meat. Top with any of the following sour cream, cilantro, grated cheese, my killer guacamole, black olives, chopped onion, lettuce, chopped tomatoes, squeeze of lime.

Leftover ideas: Leftover Carnitas can be used in an omelette or breakfast hash with eggs, onions and peppers or made into a "taco salad" with lettuce, cheese, black olives, and tomatoes.

I sometimes serve Carnitas with Calabacitas which is a great side but Corn was 4 for $1 so I tossed it on the BBQ and made it Elote style (some people do mayo or I do a little butter, squeeze of lime, sprinkle of Cotija.)

I know some weight loss surgery post-ops aren't allowed corn (I was cleared for everything as tolerated at 8 weeks) so you might want to try the Calabacitas with it.

We ate dessert during American Idol results. I almost forgot to take a picture before gobbling it up. What better way to end a Mexican celebration than with Flan...


Shelly's Flan

2 Tablespoons of Bird's Custard Powder
2 cups Milk
2 Tablespoons Sugar Free Caramel Torani Syrup

Mix powder into a smooth paste with a little of the milk. Heat the remaining milk to almost boiling and pour onto the custard mixture. Return the mix to the pan and heat till thickened (it will bubble). Remove from heat and mix Sugar Free Syrup in. Pour mixture into 4/4-oz ramekins or custard cups. Here's what I use. Chill for at least 2 hours in fridge.

Top chilled custards with Homemade No Sugar Added Whipped Cream and a drizzle of Kahlua Sauce.

Kahlua Sauce

2 Tablespoons Smucker's Sugar Free Caramel Topping
2 Tablespoons Kahlua Coffee Liqueur (yep booze)
Mix together. Drizzle over chilled custard. Serve immediately.

Yes, this dessert has booze in it. I use the real deal. You can leave it out I suppose but it's just 2 Tablespoons divided by 4 desserts. Even this lightweight RNYer can't catch a buzz off of that little. I know some Dr's are the never again types when it comes to alcohol and you should always follow your medical posse's plan. So for those of you that have those Dr's "Just say no." Move along now. Nothing to see here. For everyone else... enjoy but just don't eat all 4 in one sitting and then drunk dial me OK.