Pepper Pork Pockets Recipes

BRAISED PORK AND VEGGIE POCKETS

Steps:

• For the pork: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a small mixing bowl, combine the salt, chili powder, cumin, mustard, sage, paprika, cinnamon and cracked black pepper. Massage the pork shoulder all over with the dry rub.
• Place a large Dutch oven over high heat. Add the oil and heat until shimmering. Put the pork shoulder in the pot and sear on all sides until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Set the pork aside.
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the red onion and orange to the pot. Cook, stirring, until the orange edges are caramelized, about 6 minutes. Put the pork back in and pour in the sweet tea. The tea should cover about two-thirds of the pork; it should not be fully submerged. Cover the pot with a lid. Oven-braise the pork, turning it over halfway through the cooking time, until fork-tender, about 2 hours.
• For the pockets: Meanwhile, assemble the vegetable filling. Squeeze the spinach to remove all of the moisture. Use your fingers to break up the spinach as you sprinkle it into a large mixing bowl. Add the black beans, corn, pepper jack, Cheddar, pickled jalapenos, cilantro, salt, black pepper, scallion and bell pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine.
• Remove the pork from the pot and discard the cooking liquid. Using 2 forks, shred the pork into bite-size chunks, making sure to discard any fatty pieces. Add the pork to the vegetable filling and toss to combine.
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Spread 2 rounds of pie crust dough onto a surface lightly dusted with flour. Place six 1/4-cup mounds of filling onto the first round of pie dough, leaving space in between each mound. Lay the second round of dough directly on top of the mounds. Using a pizza cutter, make slices in the dough to separate each mound and form a triangular pocket.
• Working with one triangle at a time, press the tip of a fork along the edges to seal the pocket on all 3 sides. Place the sealed pocket on one of the parchment-lined baking sheets. Continue with the remaining dough and filling. Brush the triangles with the beaten egg to ensure even browning. Bake until golden brown and crispy, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve warm.

PEPPERED PORK PITAS WITH GARLIC SPREAD

Steps:

• In small bowl, mix mayonnaise, milk and garlic; set aside.
• In medium bowl, mix pork, oil and pepper. Heat 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Cook pork in skillet 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pork is lightly browned and no longer pink in center. Stir in bell peppers; heat until warm.
• Heat pita folds as directed on package. Lightly spread one side of each pita fold with garlic mixture. Spoon pork mixture over each; fold up.

PEPPER PORK POCKETS

Steps:

• Sprinkle pork with pepper and salt. In a large skillet, saute pork in oil until juices run clear. Add red peppers; cook and stir until heated through. Remove from the heat. , In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, milk and garlic. Spoon pork mixture into lettuce-lined pita halves. Drizzle with dressing.

MOO SHU PORK POCKETS

Steps:

• Combine the pork, cabbage, cayenne pepper, garlic, gingersnap cookies, and soy sauce in a bowl. Form mixture into patties. Heat a large, nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add wok or vegetable oil to the pan. Cook patties 7 minutes on each side.
• Heat tortillas on a nonstick surface over high heat for 30 seconds on each side. Paint the tortillas with hoisin sauce, leaving a 1-inch rim from edge. Pile shredded mixed veggies in center of tortilla and top with cooked pork patty. Fold the tortilla up on all four sides and wrap burger in a square package. Invert pork pocket and cut on diagonal. Serve pockets with jasmine rice sundaes and cucumber salad.
• Scoop prepared jasmine rice onto dinner plates using an ice cream scoop. Top with duck sauce and toasted sesame seed "sprinkles". This is a great use for those packets of leftover duck sauce that clutter up your junk drawers in the kitchen and kids love the look of the technique.
• Spread cucumber slices in a thin layer on double-ply paper towels. Roll paper towels up to squeeze water from sliced cucumbers. Transfer sliced cucumbers to a bowl and toss with sliced peppers.
• Combine remaining ingredients in a small plastic container and shake until sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Pour the dressing over the cucumbers, toss, and serve.

PEPPERED PORK PITAS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine pork, oil, pepper and garlic; toss to coat. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork mixture; cook and stir until no longer pink. Stir in red peppers; heat through. Serve on pita breads. Top with mayonnaise and lettuce if desired.