The Week of Pork

The number one question I get when a friend hears about me eating locally is, “But, how can you afford it?” They know I am a little strapped for cash these days and just about everyone I know is keeping their spending down. I wish I could say that I am saving tons of money by changing my life, but the truth is, it isn’t cheap.

For me, I just made it a priority. I made sacrifices in my life (like buying dresses once a month) and expect to pay a tad more for groceries.

And, I look for recipes that will stretch my local dollar. Shredded pork is one of those meals. First of all, it is delicious. Second, did I mention that it is delicious?  Third, it is fun to think of all the different ways I can incorporate the meat into new dishes. I think the fact that I find incorporating leftovers into new meals fun sort of pathetic. But, what can I say? My life is full of thrills.

I bought this local pork (seen here with the marinade that will smother it) for $13. The tortillas, cilantro, onions, garlic, and limes I used to make the tacos costs about $9. That is a total of $22 – for at least 10 servings of pork.

This recipe, which I adapted from The Pioneer Woman has a savory blend of vinegar, sugar, spices, and heat, and is good enough to eat straight from the pan. More important for leftovers, however, it is exceptionally versatile. We eat it with tacos, on salads and sandwiches, in soups, and, the favorite leftover recipe, in enchiladas.

Next time when someone asks me how I afford it, I think I might answer, “Deliciously.”

Recipe
Shredded Pork