"carnitas" news and stories

• Some gift ideas for people you work with, including Chocolate Crinkles, Toasted Mixed Nuts, and Cheese Crackers.
• How to make pomanders for the holidays, and how to make the change from a gas stove to an electric one.
• Chef Marcus Samuelsson returns to his roots.
• Everybody loves Amy Sedaris!
• A recipe that combines smoked salmon and cheesecake?! Yup.
• Why farmers eat better in the winter.
• One reason why you should stop bashing Rachael Ray.
• Sassy Sips & Nibbles: a self-published book about snacks and drinks.
• This week's recipes: White Beans, Sausage, and Escarole; 'Lil Smoky Cheese Ball; Piri Piri; Mango Couscous; and Carnitas.

Carnitas is a Mexican dish of slow cooked pork that is then shredded into little bits. Traditionally, the tougher and cheaper pieces of meat are the ones used for this recipe because the slow cooking allows the meat to get to the point where it melts in your mouth. Once the meat has been cooked and shredded, it is browned in a bit of butter or oil. This version of carnitas, from Jared at Alaska Cooks, includes spices, butter, brown sugar and chipotle peppers with the pork shoulder. It also has some Coca-Cola in the simmering liquid, which adds and extra bit of sweetness to the meat. Some cooks and barbecuers say that it helps to tenderize the meat, too. Looks good, doesn't it? So do the rest of the dishes on Alaska Cooks, so check them out when you have a chance!

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