Slow and Easy Cooking

You do not need me to tell you that Rye is a special place. Whether you happened upon it by chance, are third-generation, or moved here after extensive research revealed it to be the perfect place to live, you are here and you are reading The Rye Record. We all read The Rye Record, and it is one of the many reasons why Rye is so special.

While our town is sophisticated, well-educated, welcoming, and robust, I believe our biggest asset is the sense of community we share and the small-town vibe we continue to possess. The Rye Record plays a big role in maintaining that underlying value by keeping us informed of all the wonderful events happening in our community, as well as reporting on the important issues and concerns of today.

In 2014, I wrote to Robin Jovanovich, who did not know me at all, and asked if the paper would be interested in a column focused on easy recipes which would hopefully increase the frequency of family dinners. It was my belief that we were all getting too comfortable being “too busy” for family dinners, and that if I could do the recipe-testing and share really easy options, then family and friends would gather together more often around the table and connections could happen. 

I was so excited when she said yes, which then quickly turned to feeling terrified because writing was never one of my strong suits. While I was passionate about family dinner, I was not quite as passionate about writing for all to read. Robin has been so patient with me all these years, as I am not fabulous with deadlines. She has taught me so much and she has worked tirelessly to make this paper an amazing source of connectivity to every member of our community, and beyond. 

I am happy for Robin and Tom McDermott to pass the torch, and hope they enjoy more free time gathering with friends and family around the table. Maybe they will start with this healthy slow cooker lettuce wrap dish, which takes advantage of fresh summer produce and cooks all day, enabling the chef to enjoy their day.

Slow Cooker Pork Lettuce Wraps with Spicy Mango Salsa

Serves 6

Ingredients

For the pork:

1 large onion, cut into thin 

wedges

1 T. chili powder

2 t. ground cumin

2 t. salt

1 t. garlic powder

Pinch cayenne pepper

2 pounds boneless pork shoulder

1 T. extra virgin olive oil

1 cup chicken bone broth

For the salsa:

1 ripe mango, small dice

¼ cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro

2 T. finely chopped shallot

½ jalapeno, finely chopped

1 lime, squeezed

Pinch salt

10-14 large Bibb lettuce leaves

Directions

Place the onion wedges in a 3½- to 4-quart slow cooker. In a large bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne. Trim the fat from the pork shoulder. Cut into 2-inch pieces and add to the spice mixture. Toss gently to coat.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the pork, in two batches, until browned on all sides. Using a slotted spoon, transfer pork to the slow cooker. Pour the broth over the pork. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or on high for 4 to 5 hours.

To make the salsa, combine the mango, cilantro, shallot, jalapeno, lime juice, and salt in a medium bowl. Cover and chill for up to 2 hours.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pork to a cutting board and shred it using two forks. Spoon pork onto lettuce with mango salsa.