Spicy Pork Tostadas

Spice up your mealtime with the delectable Spicy Pork Tostadas, a delightful dish brought to you by Kathy Smith from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. These flavorful tostadas make for a casual and inviting meal, perfect for sharing with family and friends.

At the heart of this recipe is a bone-in pork loin roast, generously seasoned with a blend of dried oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Slowly baked to perfection, the roast becomes tender and succulent, ready to be transformed into a mouthwatering filling for the tostadas.

In the meanwhile, a salsa topping steals the show, combining sautéed onions, garlic, green pepper, salsa, corn, and black beans, along with paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, and hot pepper sauce. The result is a bold and zesty salsa that will leave your taste buds singing.

As an added bonus, Kathy often doubles the salsa portion of the recipe to have some left over. This versatile salsa can be used as a condiment for chicken, on burgers, or even as a delightful dip for tortilla chips.

With just 20 minutes of preparation and 2 hours of baking, this recipe yields 8 servings of irresistible Spicy Pork Tostadas.

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 bone-in pork loin roast (about 3 pounds)
• 3 large onions, chopped
• 4 tablespoons canola oil, divided
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium green pepper, chopped
• 1 cup salsa
• ½ cup frozen corn, thawed
• ½ cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ¼ teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• ¼ cup minced fresh cilantro
• 8 corn tortillas (6 inches)
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese

PREPARATIONS:

1. Combine dried oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne; rub over the pork roast. Place the roast fat side up on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 2 hours or until a thermometer reads 160°.
2. In a large skillet, sauté the chopped onions in 2 tablespoons of oil until tender. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Stir in chopped green pepper, salsa, thawed corn, rinsed black beans, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in minced cilantro and keep the salsa warm.
3. Shred the pork with two forks and keep it warm. In a large skillet, fry the corn tortillas, one at a time, in the remaining oil for 2 minutes on each side or until golden. Drain on paper towels.
4. Place the fried tortillas on serving plates, top them with shredded pork, onion mixture, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese.

YIELD: 8 servings

PREP/COOK TIME: 20 minutes (plus baking time)

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• Ensure that the pork roast reaches an internal temperature of 160°F for proper doneness.
• Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper and hot pepper sauce according to your desired level of spiciness.

TIPS:

• Serve the tostadas with a side of lime wedges and fresh avocado slices for a burst of tangy and creamy goodness.
• For a fun and interactive meal, set up a tostada bar with various toppings such as diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sour cream, and sliced jalapeños, allowing everyone to customize their tostadas to their liking.

Spice up your mealtime with the mouthwatering Spicy Pork Tostadas, a flavorful creation by Kathy Smith from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This casual and delightful dish is perfect for sharing with family and friends.

The star of this recipe is the bone-in pork loin roast, seasoned to perfection with a delightful blend of dried oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Baked until tender and succulent, the roast becomes the hero of the tostadas.

Complementing the pork, the salsa topping takes center stage, featuring a medley of sautéed onions, garlic, green pepper, salsa, corn, and black beans, spiced with paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, and hot pepper sauce for a zesty kick.

Kathy’s clever twist includes doubling the salsa portion to have some leftover, providing endless possibilities for future culinary adventures.

With just 20 minutes of preparation and 2 hours of baking, this recipe yields 8 servings of Spicy Pork Tostadas, perfect for a delightful family meal or a lively gathering.

Don’t miss the chance to indulge in the irresistible flavors of these tostadas. They are a true testament to the vibrant and bold cuisine of Mexico.