Sweet Pork Salad

adapted from Picky Palate.

4 pound pork roast (speaking from experience, buy it at Costco. seriously.)
1 1/2 cups Coca Cola (not diet, not anything else - original - and I don't even like Coke.)
salt, pepper, seasoning salt, garlic powder

Sauce:
1 cup Coca Cola
1 cup ketchup (do NOT substitute barbecue sauce)

Dressing:
8 ounces Herdez salsa verde
8 ounces ranch dressing

tostadas
refried beans mixed with green chiles
shredded lettuce
black beans
brown rice
guacamole
diced tomatoes
shredded cheese
sour cream


Place roast in crockpot with Coke. Season with salt, pepper, seasoning salt and garlic powder. Cook on low OVERNIGHT. Remove roast from crockpot and discard juices. Remove any fat from the roast, then shred and place back in clean crock on Low.

Place sauce ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often. Heat to a low boil, then pour over shredded roast. Cook on Low until ready to serve.

Whisk dressing ingredients together in bowl; refrigerate until ready to eat.

To serve: place tostada shell on plate; top with refried beans, then pork and any toppings you enjoy. Eat! (Have a napkin handy, because it's good and messy!)

Old Fashioned Colorado Green Chili

2 lbs. cubed pork
1 Tablespoon minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
¼ teaspoon pepper
3 Tablespoons flour
2 cups diced fresh tomatoes (you can substitute 1 14 oz can)
1 14.5 oz can chicken broth
1 cup water
2½ cups diced green chiles (about 20 chiles)
2 cups diced onion.
Salt & pepper to taste.

Brown pork in skillet with garlic and pepper. Add flour and brown as well.

In crock pot, mix pork, garlic, tomatoes, water, green chiles and onion. Simmer for at least 2 hours. Water can be added to thin down and flour can be added to thicken.

(You can also cook it in a large pot on the stove at low heat.)

Hint: Let simmer at least an hour before tasting and modifying by adding chiles, more tomatoes, garlic, etc.

This is a very meaty, very slightly thickened chili – thin for Colorado style chili. If you like really thick chili, use 4-5 tbsp. flour rather than 3 and/or reduce the water.

Sweet Pork Salad with Cilantro Dressing

2-4 lb pork roast
1½ Cups Coca Cola
Salt, Pepper, Garlic Seasoning Salt

Sauce:
1 cup Coca Cola
1 cup ketchup

Dressing:
1 jar Herdez Salsa Verde (mild tomatillo salsa)
Equal amount of prepared ranch dressing
1 bunch Cilantro (optional)

10 inch wheat or flour tortillas
Shredded green leaf lettuce
Black beans, I just used canned
Cilantro lime rice (steamed rice with chopped cilantro leaves and fresh lime juice, as much as desired)
Diced tomatoes, cheese, guacamole….etc
Crispy Tortilla Strips (flour tortillas cut into thin strips and fried in vegetable oil until browned)

1. Place roast in crockpot with Coke; season with salt, pepper and garlic seasoning. Cook on low overnight, until tender. Remove roast from crockpot, discard juices. Shred pork into bite size pieces and place back into pot on low.
2. Place cola and ketchup in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often. Heat to a low boil. Pour over shredded roast. Cook on low until ready to serve.
3. For dressing, place equal parts salsa verde and ranch dressing into food processor or blender. Add Cilantro leaves and process until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. To serve: Place tortilla onto a large bowl or plate. Layer with lettuce, beans, rice, pork, dressing and tomatoes, cheese and guacamole, etc.