May 03 2010
Carnitas Burrito with Tomatillo Salsa Verde – Along with a May Giveaway Contest
As mentioned in the previous post which we made Grilled Fish Tacos with Rubios Sauce, we have another recipe to share with you in which we incorporated La Tortilla Factory’s 100-calorie whole wheat tortillas. This is also your chance to win a couple of products from La Tortilla Factory for this month’s giveaway! (More details at the end of this post).
Since we had pork shoulder on hand, as well as a big bag of tomatillos, we came up with the idea to make a Carnitas Burrito with Tomatillo Salsa Verde. Carnitas is a Spanish word which means “little meats” and is basically a braised and roasted pork dish. Tomatillo is a fruit that looks like small green tomatoes and is typically used in Mexican cuisine as a salsa, thus the name Salsa Verde. Together with the braised pork and green salsa, we made ourselves a nice burrito with some other nice fixings. Daniel had asked a few coworkers for a quick process of how they prepare carnitas and salsa verde, so we were able to get a good general idea of how to make it at home. With the right seasonings and touches, this is a very easy, tasty, and fulfilling meal!
Tomatillos have a husk around them which you have to peel. Look for firm and bright green tomatillos to ensure freshness.
For the salsa verde recipe, we peeled the husks of 1 lb of tomatillos and boiled it for 20 minutes until it started to turn into a dark brownish-green color, as shown.
We drained the tomatillos and put them inside the blender along with 1 garlic clove, 1/4 onion, 1 Serrano pepper, 3/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp sugar, 1 tsp lime, 2 tbsp cilantro and blend it all together. Then we poured this into a bowl and placed it in the fridge to let the flavors meld.
Meanwhile, we prepared the carnitas by braising 1 lb. pork shoulder in pork stock (or chicken stock) over low-to-medium simmer. In addition, we added 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp fresh sage (minced), 1 tbsp fresh oregano (minced), 1 garlic clove, and salt to taste. Since we had a lot of fresh herbs in the garden, we figured it would add a nice earthy flavor to the carnitas. This took roughly about 2 hours on the stove.
We preheated the oven to Broil-High and transfered the braised meat to a baking dish. The reason why this extra step is necessary is because you want the outside of the meat to be a little crispy and the inside still moist and soft from the hours of braising. This is what it should look like when it's been broiled in the oven for 10 minutes in the middle rack.
We lightly shredded the pork, but didn't want to shred too much because we preferred big chunks of meat in the burrito.
We used the 10-inch whole wheat tortillas that is only 100-calories each and is 98% fat free. This makes our burrito quite healthy! Our Carnitas Burrito is layered with rice (flavored with lime juice, cilantro, olive oil, salt, and pepper), shredded pork, tomatillo salsa verde, freckled lettuce from our garden, and a slice of avocado. We used these ingredients because it's what we had, but you can definitely include beans, cheese, sour cream, or guacamole. Just make sure you can wrap it without creating a disaster.
When you hear 'Carnitas Burrito', you normally expect a huge gigantic burrito that is at least 800 calories, but this 10-inch wrap is actually a perfect size with a fraction of the fat and calories! Serve with some more Tomatillo Salsa Verde and you've got yourself a healthy and delicious Mexican meal!
To view or print-out this recipe, click here: Carnitas Burrito with Tomatillo Salsa Verde
May Giveaway Contest:
La Tortilla Factory will send one lucky winner 1 package of the Hand Made Style Corn Tortillas and 1 package of the 100 Calorie Whole Wheat Tortillas that we used in both of our posts. We will also have a 2nd and 3rd place winner who will each receive (2) $1.00-off coupons for any La Tortilla Factory product. Here’s what you have to do to be entered:
1) Be a subscriber of The Food Addicts
2) Leave a comment about this post
Contest ends Sunday, May 9th. Sorry, contest is over! The winner of the La Tortilla products goes to Deby! The 2nd and 3rd place winners are Michelle of Lucky Taste Buds and StephenC of The Obsessive Chef who will each receive (2) $1.00 off coupons! Congrats to the winners and thanks to everyone for participating and leaving awesome comments!!
This looks like something i will try for Cinco de Mayo.
can’t wait to try these – I just bought pork shoulder at Costco today. Love tomatillo salsa – with guac on the side. Delicioso!
I subscribe, and LOVE this post. Yummy, I’m going to print it out, hope I win.
i’m so used to burritos that weigh so much, two hands are required to eat them (if not a fork and knife!). this is great lighter option.
.-= grace´s last blog ..as american as leftover turkey pot pie =-.
Nothing beats homemade salsa huh? Love what you did here with the pork braising.
Any leftovers? LOL
.-= Adrian @ Food Rehab´s last blog ..The Hidden Caffeine Fix to the Sexy Noodles: Melbourne’s Hotspots Under $20 in 1 Day =-.
These look so good! I love the wraps for a smaller meal (instead of the burrito). I really will have to try your pork recipe!
We love to make burritos at our house, you can use any leftovers. I like that you made a salsa with tomatillos, we love those. I really like carnits too.
chuls
@sweetlife
.-= sweetlife´s last blog ..Chuls in Charge – Cool Chicks Chomp Chickpeas…. =-.
These carnitas burritos sound incredible! A great recipe for Cinco de Mayo!
.-= 5 Star Foodie´s last blog ..Braised Wild Boar Belly =-.
Your pictures are amazing!!!
try roasting the tomatillos, it is MUCH better…
.-= nico´s last blog ..Tafi del Valle, Tucuman, Argentina =-.
YUM! I LOVE all Mexican Food, but, you all did a fantastic job on your presentation – I LOVE the cilantro stem in the salsa
Delicious!
.-= Danica´s last blog ..“CatMan” is bacccckkkk…. =-.
That looks delicious. I love that it’s on whole wheat tortillas. Thanks for the recipe… I love salsa verde!
That looks so delicious and healthy at the same time. Perfect for weekend lunch.
.-= Bibi´s last blog ..Baked Italian Meatballs =-.
This looks like such a much healthier alternative than the King Taco’s burritos I’ve been scarfing down on! Mmmm.
The braised pork looks awesome! Incidentally, I will definitely not be taking your advice to make sure I “wrap without creating a disaster.” Overstuffing the burrito is half the fun of making it
Salsa verde is a family favorite around here. I didn’t realize how easy it is to make, so I’m definitely going to give your recipe a try. Thanks for the great Cinco de Mayo post!
.-= Leah´s last blog ..That’s What Friends Are For =-.
I’m definitely a subscriber via google reader and email. Your blog is just TOO awesome!! it’s my guilty pleasure when i read it during lunch at work.
hehehe
My husband would love that sauce. I have been meaning to make more mexican food at home but I never get a chance to make my own salsa
Looks very delicious!! homemade salsa is the best. that pork looks amazing too!
.-= Cindy Waffles´s last blog ..Vietnamese Steamed Meatloaf =-.
This dish looks delicious! My (Mexican) girlfriend roasts her tomatoes and tomatillos on the stove top (in a comal or skillet) instead of boiling them. I guess the flavor is subtly different. Either way looks good to me!
How come I was not invited over for this awesome meal?
.-= Cynthia´s last blog ..A mental adjustment to cooking & eating =-.
You are making me hungry though I am not a fan of burrito. But that is because I have not eaten any good burrito!
Looks great, and a perfect Cinco de Mayo dish!
.-= Alta´s last blog ..Beet and Orange Salad with Basil Vinaigrette =-.
God you’ve been making me so hungry lately with your tacos and now this! Stop it! No, don’t!
.-= Conor @ HoldtheBeef´s last blog ..Gently rapping at the pantry door =-.
OMG! I just found your website by accident while looking for a recipe for emanadas to make for dinner tonite. I totally love the style/kind of food that I see all of your blog. It’s exactly the way and kind of food that my hubby and I cook, eat and love and I’m so looking forward to seeing your new and fresh ideas! Can’t wait until I have time to read more!!!! Thanks.
What an awesome site you have. I envy your skill with the camera, not to mention this amazing looking recipe. I think it will inspire me to braise some pork, something I’ve not done for quite a while.
.-= StephenC´s last blog ..Jen’s grilled potatoes =-.
[...] Tomatillo salsa verde recipe: [...]
Just found your site and love it. I too love cooking and gardening, your recipes inspire me to cook, better get in the kitchen. Cheers!
I love La Tortilla products, so I’m looking forward to trying these too!
Thanks for all the comments!! Congrats to our 3 winners, and thanks to La Tortilla Factory for offering to do this great giveaway!
Wow.. That looks super tempting.
Oh man, I’ve been craving burritos. These are definitely gonna be on the menu next week!
.-= Emi´s last blog ..Fish Burgers =-.
Some time ago I saw this recipie and today I was like crazy looking for a hot (not cold) salsa verde. Then the image of your tomatillos boiling came into my head and I looked for it. Simply Delicioso, very good thanks for sharing.