Smothered Sweet Pork Burritos

For 8 Servings, Smothered Sweet Pork Burritos keeps the list centered on pork roast like pork shoulder or butt roast, Salt and pepper and oil. Set aside about 320 minutes.

• Yield 8 Servings
• Ready in 320 minutes
• Prep 20 minutes
• Cook 300 minutes

Ingredients

For Burritos

• 2 ½ pounds pork roast like pork shoulder or butt roast
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1-2 teaspoons liquid smoke
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup packed light or dark brown sugar
• 2 cans (15-ounces each) green enchilada sauce
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• Dash of hot sauce , optional
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans , rinsed and drained
• ½ cup chopped cilantro
• 8 ounces Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese , or a combination, grated
• 6-8 whole wheat or white flour tortillas , burrito-sized

For Cilantro Lime Rice

• ½ tablespoon butter
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Juice and zest of 1 lime
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• ¼ teaspoon cumin

Instructions

1. Trim any excess fat pockets from the pork roast (it's ok to leave a bit here and there just trim the large pieces off). Cut the pork into 2-3 large pieces. Season each piece on all sides with salt and pepper.
2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil until rippling and hot. Add all the pieces of pork and brown on each side, 2-3 minutes total. Transfer the pork to the insert of a 5-6 quart slow cooker.
3. Add the liquid smoke and 1/2 cup water. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 8 hours.
4. While the pork is cooking, prepare the rice. In a skillet or medium saucepan, melt the butter and add the rice. Stir, letting the rice and butter cook for 1-2 minutes. Add remaining ingredients (broth, salt, pepper, lime juice and zest, cilantro and cumin) and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook for 15-16 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. This can be made ahead and refrigerated until ready to assemble the burritos.
5. Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred into bite-sized pieces (discarding the bone, if needed, or any large pieces of fat). In a large bowl, toss the shredded pork with the brown sugar, 1/2 cup of the green sauce, chili powder, salt and pepper (add more salt and pepper to taste if needed). Add the hot sauce, if using.
6. Stir in the beans, rice and cilantro to the pork mixture.
7. Lightly grease a 9X13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and spread about 1/2 - 3/4 cup of the green sauce on the bottom.
8. Warm the tortillas lightly in a skillet or in the microwave. Scoop about 1/2 cup of the meat mixture into each tortilla and sprinkle with a bit of cheese (you'll want to leave some cheese for the top of all the burritos before they bake). Roll up burrito style (folding the ends in and rolling).
9. Place the burritos seam-side down in the prepared baking dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the burritos and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
10. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until heated through and the top is bubbly and slightly golden. Serve immediately.

Give it a minute off the heat, then serve it while it is still hot.