Slow Cooker Tacos Carnitas

My second pregnancy has me quite obsessed with spicy food---particularly Mexican. So, When I came across a recipe for Tacos Carnitas in one of my mother's magazines, I was determined to create a "clean" version of my own. Better yet, something simple and easy to "fix and forget" in the crock pot. If you're looking for something with a little extra "kick" and a splash of fresh citrus--this one is for you!

Slow Cooker (Pork) Tacos Carnitas

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp. high quality chile pepper

1 tsp. ground coriander

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. dried organo

1-2 tsp. grated orange peel

salt and pepper

2 lb boneless pork roast, trimmed of any visible fat

2 onions, cut into wedges

1 (15 oz) can chicken broth 

3/4 cup fresh orange juice

1 package 4 inch corn tortillas (whole grain, yellow or white)

salsa, shredded lettuce, fresh cilantro, avocado, and plain greek yogurt

Directions:

1. In a bowl, stir together the chile pepper, garlic, oregano, coriander, orange peel, salt and pepper.
2. Place pork into the slow cooker and rub thoroughly with the chile pepper mixture.
3. Top with onion wedges, broth, and orange juice.
4. Cover and cooke on low heat for 10-12 hours, or on high heat for 4-5 hours.
5. Just before serving,  wrap tortillas in foil and warm them in a 350 degree oven on a baking sheet.
6. To serve, shred up the pork with two forks and top each tortilla with the meat and suggested fixings listed from the ingredient list. We LOVE salsa, cilantro, avocado, lime juice and a dollop of yogurt! DELISH!

Slow Cooker Lentil and Ham Soup

Lentil soup is one of those hearty stick-to-the-ribs cold weather soups that is almost like a stew. One small cup of it and a salad is all you need to keep you satisfied for hours. Added bonus? It packs a serious nutritional punch, as it is naturally low in fat, high in fiber and protein. What's not to love? Better yet? This particular recipe is a "throw it all in the crock pot" type, with a shot of iron-laden spinach at the end. I hope you enjoy it!

Lentil and Ham Soup

Ingredients:

4 cups of reduced sodium chicken broth

2 cups water

1.5 cups chopped celery

1.5 cups sliced carrots

1 medium onion, chopped

1 bag lentils, rinsed and drained

6 ounces of cooked ham, diced (I like canadian bacon, too)

1.5 tsp. Dried thyme

3 cups fresh baby spinach

 plain yogurt and/or parmesan cheese for garnish

Procedure:

In a 4-5 qt. slow cooker, combine the broth, water, celery, carrots, onion, lentils ham and thyme.

Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.

Stir in the spinach just before serving, and garnish with yogurt or parmesan.

ENJOY!