Carnitas with a Twist

A couple of weeks ago, I was cleaning out my recipe box and came across a handwritten recipe for carnitas.  I am not sure who gave it to me or where it came from.  But, I had a frozen pork loin in the freezer and thought “what the heck!”  It was a rather odd mix of ingredients, as you will see… I threw everything in the Crockpot and hoped for the best.  Oh my.  Best.  Carnitas.  Ever.  So moist and delicious… we ate them as soft tacos with homemade pico and then made rice bowls with them a few days later.  They are even delicious just on a bun!  Enjoy!

Carnitas with a Twist

2 pound boneless pork loin

3 large oranges

1 lemon

2 teaspoons salt

4 teaspoons black pepper

1/2 cup cilantro leaves, optional

Spray Crockpot with cooking spray.  Place pork loin in Crockpot, cutting in half if needed, to ensure meat does not touch sides.  Place two of the oranges and the lemon in the microwave for 20 seconds.  Remove and cut in half.  Squeeze the juice of both oranges and the lemon over the top of the pork loin (watch for the seeds!).  Season with salt and pepper.  Peel the third orange and break into sections.  Place sections on top, and around, pork loin.  Place cilantro leaves around pork loin.  Cook on low for 8 hours.  Shred and mix in juices prior to serving.

Serves: 8

Calories: 150 | Fat: 4 | Carbs: 5

Protein: 24 | Fiber: 0 | Cholesterol: 45

Note: nutritional values are for meat only.