World's Best Snickerdoodle Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened 
• 1/2 cup shortening 
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar 
• 2 eggs 
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 2 tablespoons white sugar  

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Cream together butter, shortening, 1 1/2 cups sugar, the eggs and the vanilla. Blend in the flour, cream of tartar, soda and salt. Shape dough by rounded spoonfuls into balls.
3. Mix the 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon. Roll balls of dough in mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until set but not too hard. Remove immediately from baking sheets.

 

Carnitas

Ingredients:

• 1 (~8 pound) pork butt roast
• 1 1/2 tbs salt
• 1 tbs dried oregano
• 1-2 bay leaves 
• 1 tbs ground or whole cumin
• 1 tbs coriander seeds 
• 3-6 dried chilies of your choice
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 onion, coarsely chopped  

Directions:

1. Trim excess fat from pork butt; cut pork into smaller pieces and transfer into instant pot bowl. 
2. Combine all spieces together and rub all over pork in the instant pot bowl. 
3. Add the onion and orange juice.
4. Manual cook on high for 1 hour. Let pressure come down naturally, about 15 minutes.
5. Remove pork from pressure cooker and shred meat.
6. Optional: fry the meat on a flattop to make some of it crispy.

 

Carne Asada

Ingredients:

• 3 whole dried ancho chilies, stems and seeds removed
• 3 whole dried guajillo chilies, stems and seeds removed
• 2 whole chipotle peppers, canned in adobo
• 3/4 cup fresh juice from 2 to 3 oranges, preferably sour oranges
• 2 tablespoons fresh juice from 2 to 3 limes
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Asian fish sauce
• 6 medium cloves garlic
• 1 small bunch cilantro, leaves and tender stems only, divided
• 1 tablespoon whole cumin seed, toasted and ground
• 1 teaspoon whole coriander seed, toasted and ground
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• Kosher salt
• 2 pounds skirt steak (or flap steak or flank steak)

Directions:

1. Place dried ancho and guajillo chilies on a microwave-safe plate and microwave until pliable and toasty-smelling, 10 to 20 seconds. Transfer to the jar of a blender and add chipotle peppers, orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, soy sauce, fish sauce, garlic, cilantro, cumin seed, coriander seed, and brown sugar. Blend until a smooth sauce has formed, about 1 minute. Season to taste with salt.
   
   
2. Add marinade to steak. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to overnight. 
    
3. Remove steak from marinade and wipe off excess. Dry over a rack and let come to room temperature before grilling. Cook over hot grill for about 5 minutes a side. Transfer to a cutting board and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Slice thinly against the grain and serve immediately