Chipotle Shredded Beef Tostadas

Yield:8 Servings
Ingredients:
2 lbs. boneless beef eye round, fat removed, cut into chunks
1 small white onion, sliced
5 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp. salt
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1-14.5oz. can diced tomatoes
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1/4 c bottled chipotle sauce
8 tostadas
chopped onions, to serve
2 large avocados, sliced, to serve
shredded cheese, to serve
sour cream, to serve

1. Combine beef, white onion, crushed garlic, and salt in a large saucepan.Add enough water to cover.Bring to boiling and skim off any foam that rises to the surface.Simmer beef, uncovered,over medium-low heat for about 1 hour or until meat is tender.Remove from heat and shred meat.Reserve broth.
2. In a medium skillet, heat the chopped onions and minced garlic over medium heat and cook for about 5 minutes or until tender.
3.Add the beef, canned tomatoes, oregano, thyme, bay leaf, and chipotle sauce and cook for an additional 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.If beef mixture is to dry, add some of the reserved broth.
4. Remove from heat and place equal amounts of shredded beef on each tostada.Top with avocado slices, shredded cheese, and sour cream, if desired.

Licuado de Fruta de Maranon (Cashew Apple Smoothie)

This rather pecular fruit,maranon known in english as cashew apple(fruit) is popular throughout Central America & Brazil where it is popularly enjoyed as a refreshing licuado on a hot summer day.
Yield:1 large serving
Ingredients:
1 cashew apple, ends removed, chopped in pieces
1 medium banana, peeled, sliced

1 c low-fat milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
crushed ice

1.Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.Serve immediately.

Papaya Salsa

Another colorful & refresing salsa that is quick to make and is perfect for grilled fish or chicken.

Yield:16 Servings
Ingredients:
2 ripe papayas, peeled, seeded, cubed
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded, finely chopped
1 cucumber, peeled, and finely chopped
1/2 c red onion, finely chopped
a bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 c fresh lime juice

1. Place all the ingredients in a large bowl and toss till evely blended and coated with the lime juice.Refrigerate for 30 minutes.Serve as a garnish for grilled chicken or fish.

Garlic & Onion Steak Fajitas (Fajitas de Carne con Cebolla y Ajo)

This is a simple dish to put together and doesn't require much in the way of ingredients or time.Great for a quick lunch, snack, or can be doubled for a get together.

Yield:4 Servings
Ingredients:
3-4 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 medium onion, roughly chopped
2 tsp. olive or canola oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. black pepper
3/4- 1 lbs. beef flank steak, cut into chunks
4 flour tortillas

To Serve:
tomatoes, chopped, to serve
bunch of cilantro, chopped, to serve
2 Hass avocados, sliced, to serve
chillies of your choice, chopped, to serve

1. Heat oil on a large pan.Add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring for few minutes.Add the flank steak and cook for 5 minutes, stirring every so often.
2. Add salt, cayenne pepper and black pepper.Stir the meat till the spiced are evenly blended.Cook meat for another 10 minutes or until evenly cooked through.
3. Remove meat from heat and set aside.Heat the tortillas.
4. Add meat to tortillas, serve with tomatoes, cilantro, avocados and chillies.Serve immediately.

Carnitas

Yield:6 Servings
Ingredients:
3-4 lbs. boneless pork shoulder, visible fat removed, cut into pieces
6 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 c fresh orange juice
salt
1 tbsp. sunflower oil
corn tortillas, to serve
salsa, to serve

1. Put pork pieces into a heavy, wide frying pan with the garlic, orange juice, and 2 tsp. of salt.Add water to the pan barely covering the meat and bring to a boil over medium heat.Reduce the heat to medium low, cover partially, and cook, stirring occasionally until all the liquid has been absorbed(should take about 50 min to 1 hour).
2. Uncover the pan , add the sunflower oil and continue cooking for another 10-15 minutes.
3. Remove pork from pan with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper-lined dish to drain away excess fat.After few minutes,transfer carnitas to a serving platter.Serve on corn tortillas garnished with salsa and a side order of refried beans with rice.