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Monday, May 30, 2016

Cuban Pork with Mojo Marinade




I bought a small Pork Shoulder Roast the other day and decided to marinate it Cuban Style in a Mojo Marinade. This marinade is usually made with Sour Oranges, but I didn't have any so I improvised by using Orange, Lemon and Lime along with Garlic, Salt, Olive Oil and some Cumin and Oregano. I marinated the Pork in this delicious marinade for 2 days and finally roasted it tonight. It was so delicious, I almost swooned! Of course, I've eaten at Cuban restaurants many times and I'm familiar with these flavors, but tonight it just tasted like the perfect marriage of flavors. The pork was tender and moist and the flavor of the marinade permeated the whole roast. It also made a delicious pan sauce to serve over the sliced Pork. I'm quite sure that it would be good with Chicken Thighs as well.  

Cuban Pork with Mojo Marinade

Juice of 1 large Navel Orange
Juice of 1 Lemon
Juice of 1 Lime
6 cloves Garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground Cumin
1 teaspoon dried Oregano
1 teaspoon Salt
3 pound boneless Pork Shoulder Roast (can also use Chicken Thighs)
1/3 cup Olive Oil

Mix the marinade ingredients and place in a large closing plastic bag or put into a large container with a lid. Add the Pork and marinate for 4 - 8 hours or overnight up to 2 days.  Turn several times to let the flavors penetrate. When ready to roast, turn the oven to 450 degrees. Place the Pork on a roasting pan and discard marinade.  Place in the oven and cook for 20 minutes. Turn the heat down to 325 degrees and cook for 90 minutes more. Let the Pork Roast rest for 15 minutes before slicing and pour pan juices over the slices before serving.

Note: If cooking Chicken Thighs, bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees

Five Element Analysis

Pork belongs to the Water Element and is good for tired Kidneys. The Citrus fruit contributes the Wood Element along with the Olive Oil. The Garlic, Cumin and Oregano add the Metal Element.  The Earth and Fire Elements are missing, which is why this dish is usually served with Plantains,Yucca or even Chayote Squash, which are Earthy. I served the Corn Pudding (previous Post) as my Earth food and baked it with the Roast. I made a salad with Lettuce and Tomatoes from the Fire Element to make this a balanced Five Element Meal.



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