Crazy Lady Carnitas — Porch,Wine & Gravy | Louisiana Food Recipes by Jolie Meaux

Let's talk about something I know y’all think about too. Those people. You know those people that are always dressed perfectly, hair in every place, always pay their bills on time, their car and their house are spotless. They say things like “I just always make sure to get everything done early.” They have their taxes done 4 hours after they get their W2’s. Then the worst is when they are super sweet and nice too. It’s like come on man, give me a reason to dislike you. Something to find fault. Something to dissipate my feelings of inadequacy.

I am that lady that at school drop off who has empty containers or wrappers that come rolling out of my car, as I look away in shame because the teacher on duty has to pick them up and throw them back into my traveling garbage heap I call a car. The one who's at the checkout pulling out the hundreds of crumpled receipts, trying to find my debit card that once again I threw in my purse and has now joined the black hole that is the bottom of my purse where everything is fused together by the lipstick that melted and reformed down there. I get those notes from school saying Third Notice for school dues with a big fat red marker frowny face under it. Come on man, I work full time and have three kids. Stop being so judgy. I have walked around with my shirt on backward for a solid day. I have been known to strategically place my hands to cover the giant coffee stain on my dress. I say things like “I am sure the humidity will take care of these wrinkles."

Recently, I had to get ready for a Pop-Up and discovered that I forgot my tweezers. I formed a brilliant plan. I will just grab this cheap ladies razor and gently shave off and tame my Brooke Shieldesque eyebrows. As I looked in the mirror I thought, see I did it, who needs all these time management skills to get ready? I just shaved off like 20 minutes. Well, that's not all I shaved off. As I am admiring my handy work I realize little dots of blood are forming on my brow and as I stand there they keep getting bigger. Seems I managed to shave off my first layer of skin. So my effort to look nice turned into me walking around with ice filled washcloths on my face. That's right, I now have two giant scabs under my eyebrows, which in case you wondering is not more attractive than bushy eyebrows.

This recipe is for my fellow hot messes. For those that just keep moving piles of laundry when guests come. For those that always have some product on their shirt or pants that doesn't belong there. For those who an over due notice is just a gentle first reminder. For those that in an effort to save time have caused themselves bodily harm. You are my people and this easy recipe that takes little prep and concentration, and will, for just a brief moment make you feel like you have cracked the secret to being that perfect human being. Remember its only brief because Im sure like me you will realize you left half your groceries and that damn debit card back at the store. Just remember if you come home with as many people as you left with you are still winning at life.

I have been on a taco kick lately. My mission was to recreate those yummy taco truck tacos at home. Now, I am not saying I got it exactly right but I got pretty darn close. The first in my series is carnitas, since it was voted a Sunday Supper favorite. Now I am sure y’all have noticed I cook for a lot of people so when I find a recipe that feeds a lot of people on the cheap and is easy to prepare I am pretty much in hog heaven (haha, pork jokes). Traditionally, carnitas are slowly cooked in lard but I changed it up a little. Three easy steps and bam - carnitas to feed a crowd. These turned out so tender and full of flavor I caught many of my Sunday Supperers grabbing handfuls and shoving it in their mouths - Barbarians! (okay let's be honest, it was me).

The hardest part of this recipe is the searing of the meat. Try to get the best sear you can. I find in all braised meats the harder the sear the more flavorful the final result. Add the chicken broth and plop the lid on then put in the oven for about 4 hours, and off you go to enjoy your day. Now, you can do this in the slow cooker on low for about 8 hours. Which means it's great for a busy day. Once done you just remove from the oven, shred and broil on a cookie sheet to crisp up the edges. I like to double the recipe and before I broil the meat, freeze some in ziplock bags. That way I can just pull out some from the freezer on a busy day and throw it on a cookie sheet and have dinner with minimal effort.