Crispy Pork Tacos

Ingredients:

For the Crispy Pork:

  • 2 lbs (about 1 kg) pork shoulder or pork belly, cut into bite-sized cubes

  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 large eggs, beaten

  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

  • Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Red Chile Salsa:

  • 4 large tomatoes, diced

  • 1 red onion, finely diced

  • 2 red bell peppers, diced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 jalapeño, seeds removed and finely chopped

  • Juice of 2 limes

  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

For Serving:

  • Small corn or flour tortillas

  • Shredded lettuce

  • Crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese

  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt

  • Lime wedges

  • Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Instructions:

Crispy Pork:

  1. Season the Pork:

    • In a bowl, season the pork cubes with salt, black pepper, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.

  1. Coating Station:

    • Set up a coating station with three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs.

  1. Coat and Fry:

    • Dredge each pork cube in flour, dip it into the beaten eggs, and coat it with panko breadcrumbs.

    • Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the pork cubes in batches until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.

Red Chile Salsa:

  1. Prepare the Salsa:

    • In a bowl, combine diced tomatoes, finely diced red onion, diced red bell peppers, minced garlic, chopped jalapeño, lime juice, and chopped cilantro. Season with salt and black pepper. Mix well.

Assembling the Tacos:

  1. Warm the Tortillas:

    • Heat the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until warm and pliable.

  1. Assemble the Tacos:

    • Place a layer of shredded lettuce on each tortilla.

    • Add a generous portion of crispy pork cubes on top.

  1. Top with Red Chile Salsa:

    • Spoon the red chile salsa over the crispy pork.

  1. Add Toppings:

    • Sprinkle crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese over the salsa.

    • Add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.

  1. Garnish and Serve:

    • Garnish the tacos with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side.

These gourmet crispy pork tacos with red chile salsa offer a delightful combination of textures and flavors, from the crispy and seasoned pork to the vibrant and tangy salsa. The toppings add a touch of creaminess and freshness. It's a gourmet twist on a classic dish that's sure to impress your taste buds. Enjoy!