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    This Simple Freezer-Friendly Pulled Pork Tortilla Recipe Is Perfect For Meal Prep

    Listen, we love pulled jackfruit and shredded chicken as much as the next person, but we all know pulled pork is the real deal. It takes so well to flavour and is sticky, sweet and succulent. That’s why we’re sharing this pulled pork tortilla recipe from Ilse van Der Merwe’s cookbook Simply Seasonal.

    It works great as a meal for friends (it makes at least 6 servings), or you can meal prep it for the week ahead. “I always double the recipe for the rub, meat and sauce, because pulled pork freezes exceptionally well and is a fabulous quick-fix filler for rolls, sandwiches etc,” says van der Merwe.

    READ MORE: Exactly How To Make The Perfect Pizza On The Braai

    And the best part is you don’t need to be a braai master to master this meat. No smoker? This tender and sticky recipe is adapted so that anyone can make it in a regular oven (using a good quality cast-iron pot).

    It is intended to be deliciously messy, so embrace this pulled pork tortilla recipe, eat with your hands and lick your fingers.

    Oven-Braised BBQ Pulled Pork Tortilla Recipe

    Ingredients

    Barbecue Rub

    30ml Soft brown sugar

    15ml Salt

    15ml Smoked paprika

    5ml Ground cumin

    2.5ml Ground black pepper

    Pork & Barbecue Sauce (recipe can easily be doubled)

    2kg Boneless pork shoulder, cut into 5–6 large chunks

    45ml Olive oil

    1 Bottle lager beer (or apple cider)

    125ml Tomato sauce

    45ml Apple cider vinegar

    45ml Dijon mustard

    10ml Brown sugar

    15ml Worcestershire sauce

    15ml soy sauce

    2 Cloves garlic, finely grated

    8–12 Toasted flour or corn tortillas

    To Serve

    Sour cream (or mayonnaise)

    Tomato salsa and/or cabbage slaw

    Sliced red onion, fresh coriander

    Salt and pepper, to taste

    READ MORE: 10 Healthy Summer Recipes You Can Make In Under 20 Minutes

    Directions

    For the rub, mix all the ingredients together in a wide mixing bowl. Now add the pork chunks and toss to coat all over, rubbing the mixture into the meat. Cover and leave overnight in the fridge, if you have the time, or continue straight on.

    Preheat the oven to 150°C. In a large cast-iron pot (try use a 31cm oval Le Creuset casserole for the doubled recipe) over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Working in batches, add the rubbed pork and sear on all sides (remember there’s sugar in the spice mix, so it will tend to burn quickly – watch carefully).

    Place all the meat back in the pot, add the beer and cover with a lid. Transfer to the preheated oven and cook for 3 hours, then remove the lid and cook for another hour, or until the pork is very tender and pulls apart easily. Remove from the oven, transfer the meat to a clean bowl and let it rest while you prepare the sauce in the used pot with drippings.

    To make the BBQ sauce, add the tomato sauce or ketchup, vinegar, mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce and garlic to the pot with the remaining drippings and stir well. Bring to a simmer for about 5 minutes over medium heat, scraping the bottom and sides to incorporate all the dark roasted bits, then taste and season with salt and pepper.

    Now shred the rested pork using two forks. Toss the shredded meat with about half the barbecue sauce (or more if you want). Serve warm with freshly toasted tortillas, sour cream or mayonnaise, salsa and/or cabbage slaw, red onion, coriander and some extra BBQ sauce on the side. More

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    3 Smashing Pumpkin Recipes That Go Beyond Halloween

    Just because we don’t really celebrate Halloween doesn’t mean we can’t reap the benefits of healthy pumpkins! These pumpkin recipes will bewitch you with their perfect flavour pairings and warmth.
    Pumpkin Risotto With Crispy Sage
    Prep Time: 10 minutesCooking Time: 35 minutesIngredients– 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth– 1/4 cup olive oil– 8 sage leaves, plus 2 tsp minced fresh sage– 1/2 cup finely chopped shallots– 1 cup arborio rice– 1 cup sliced shiitake mushroom caps– 1/2 cup dry white wine– 3/4 cup canned pure pumpkin puree or pumpkin cooked and blended into puree– 3/4 cup plus 4 tsp shredded Parmesan– 1/2 tsp salt– 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepperMethodHeat broth in a saucepan until boiling, then keep at a simmer on the stove top.Heat olive oil in a saute pan until hot but not smoking. Add sage leaves and fry until crispy, 10 to 15 seconds. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.Transfer 1 tablespoon of the sage oil to a saucepan and discard the rest of the oil. Heat oil over medium-high heat. Add shallots and cook, stirring, until translucent but not browned, 5 to 6 minutes.Add rice and cook, stirring, until rice is glistening and coated with oil, 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and wine; cook, stirring, until most of the liquid is evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes.Add 1 cup broth and cook, stirring, until most of the liquid is evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes. Continue to add broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring, until liquid is evaporated after each addition and until rice swells but is still al dente, 17 to 18 minutes.Add pumpkin puree, 3/4 cup cheese, salt, and pepper; cook, stirring, until incorporated, 1 to 2 minutes.Divide risotto among 4 bowls and garnish each with 2 fried sage leaves and 1 teaspoon cheese.Makes 4 Servings: Per serving: 1008 kJ, 7 g fat (2 g sat), 34g carbs, 680mg sodium, 3g fibre, 9g protein.
    READ MORE: Mindful Drinking: How More And More People Are Becoming ‘Sober Curious’
    Roasted Pumpkin And Pomegranate Salad
    Prep Time: 15 minutesCooking Time: 30 minutesIngredients– 3 cups pumpkin, cut into cubes– 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil– 1/4 tsp salt– 1/4 tsp pepper– 6 cups mixed winter salad greens– 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds– 8 tsp lightly toasted pumpkin seeds– 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheeseVinaigrette (makes 1/2 cup)– 3 Tbsp pure pumpkin-seed oil (available in health-food stores and specialty markets)– 2 Tbsp champagne vinegar– 3 Tbsp orange juice– 1 tsp Dijon mustard– 1 small chopped shallot (1 Tbsp)– 1 tsp honey– 1/4 tsp salt– 1/4 tsp pepperMethodPreheat oven to 200 degrees. Toss pumpkin with olive oil, salt, and pepper and arrange in one layer on a lipped baking sheet. Roast until pumpkin is tender-firm and edges are caramelised, about 30 minutes.Remove from oven and let cool completely. Combine all vinaigrette ingredients in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake until dressing emulsifies and has a creamy appearance.Divide the greens evenly among 4 salad plates. Scatter 1/2 cup roasted pumpkin, 1 tablespoon pomegranate seeds, 2 teaspoons pumpkin seeds, and 1 tablespoon goat cheese on top of each plate of greens.Drizzle with 2 tablespoons vinaigrette.Makes 4 Servings: Per serving: 1260 kJ, 21g fat (7 g sat), 23g carbs, 410mg sodium, 4g fibre, 9g protein
    READ MORE: 9 Breakfast Ideas That’ll Give You A Better Boost Than Coffee
    Creamy Pumpkin-Peanut Soup
    Prep Time: 10 minutesCooking Time: 20 minutesIngredients– 2 tsp vegetable oil– 1 small onion, chopped (1 1/4 cups)– 3 cloves garlic, smashed– 1/4 tsp ground turmeric– 1/2 tsp paprika– 1/2 tsp chilli pepper flakes– Pumpkin puree– 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth– 1 jar roasted red peppers, drained, 1 tablespoon chopped and reserved for garnish– 1/3 cup smooth reduced-fat natural peanut butter– 1 tsp sugar– 1/2 tsp salt– 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper– 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice– 1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream– 2 Tbsp chopped roasted peanuts– 2 Tbsp chopped spring onionsMethodHeat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until golden, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional 2 minutes. Add turmeric, paprika, and chilli flakes; stir.Add pumpkin puree, broth, peppers, and peanut butter; whisk to incorporate and bring to a boil.Reduce heat, simmer for 5 minutes, then stir in sugar, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.Transfer to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Divide among 4 bowls and garnish with sour cream, peanuts, reserved chopped peppers, and green onions.Makes 4 Servings: Per serving: 1134 kJ, 18g fat (4g sat), 22g carbs, 450mg sodium, 4g fibre, 10g protein.
    READ MORE: These Banana Muffins Actually Alleviate PMS And Cramping More