Reader Request

I am never one to shy away from asking a question. If I want to know something and I can't find the answer, I will seek out those who do. How else are we supposed to learn? I know some see asking for help as a sign of weakness, but I was taught it takes more strength to admit you need help than to try to do something on your own w/o direction. I think cooking is a good example of this. I can't tell you how many times, more so when I was first married, I've picked up the phone to call either my mom or my Grammy to ask "How do you make?" or "What temperature do you cook ___at?" or "Um, I screwed this up. Can I save it?" Thank goodness the women in my family have been there to pull my "cheese out of the fire" more than once. In order to pay this forward a little bit, I've been giving my fans on Facebook a chance to ask me to find recipes they need help with, want to know how to make, or are just curious about and don't have the time to find on their own. I talked about this a couple weeks ago when I posted the recipes for Microwave Lo Mein and Cabbage Goulash---both of which were also ideas from fans. With those cooking conundrums solved, I gave more fans the chance to use me as their cooking encyclopedia/research assistant. This was what one fan asked me to find b/c her husband ate it as a child and requested her to recreate it. Boy, can I sympathize w/ it!!! A few of those have entered into my marriage as well. If it weren't for Adam and his childhood favorites, I might not have recipes for Beef Stroganoff, Tuna Noodle Casserole and Black Raspberry Pie---they were all made w/ love for him, b/c he asked. So as a fellow wife I felt for her, and was up to the challenge. And even tough I couldn't pronounce it, I went looking for it. Wouldn't you know, Taste of Home came through once again; and even told me how to say it (see below for an explanation)! I hope this is very close to the dish her husband remembers as a child, b/c nothing makes a wife feel as good as when her man takes a bite, and that "Wow, you nailed it" smile crosses his face. Believe me, this everyday mom knows that all too well!

Cacoila (pronounced Caserla) 

*A spicy Portuguese shredded pork dish perfect for sandwiches or poured over rice

3 lbs. pork meat cut into 1 inch cubes

2 cloves garlic crushed

4-5 TBS paprika

1 1/2 c. red wine

4-5 TBS Pimenta Moida (crushed red pepper sauce in Spanish or Portuguese section of grocery store)

Salt to taste

Place all ingredients in a large bowl. Stir well. Marinade will be thick. Marinate for TWO days, making sure to stir daily. Once ready, stir once more before adding to a heavy duty large pot on low for 2 hours, stirring frequently. You'll know when it's ready b/c the meat will shred easily. 

*TIPS*

• Amounts can be altered to taste w/o messing up recipe
• Can also be made w/ beef stew meat
• Can also be made in slow cooker. Cook on low until meat tender enough to shred. 

Photo Courtesy of Taste of Home