Pineapple and Tomatillo Pulled Pork for Cinco de Mayo

Today is Cinco de Mayo which is a pretty big deal in Arizona. To celebrate, we made some pulled pork slow cooked with pineapple, green chiles, and tomatillo (green) salsa. My cousin has a killer recipe for green salsa and if she doesn't mind I'll post it soon. I found the pork recipe at Prudy's and modified it to go with what I had on hand. Chicken would work great here, too (especially if you're still thinking about a certain flu and pork just doesn't sound yummy!)

I'm also including my favorite recipe for refried beans. Also done in the slow cooker, these are incredibly easy and so cheap- dried beans are a bargain especially for all the nutrition they pack! They taste so good that you'll forget all about those jarred beans. I know I don't even buy jarred pinto or refried beans anymore.

Pineapple and Tomatillo Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
adapted from Prudence Pennywise
2 pounds of pork (loin, chops, etc) or boneless chicken
1 large can of pineapple tidbits with juice
1 cup tomatillo salsa (green salsa or salsa verde)
2 4 ounce cans green chiles, undrained
1/3 cup brown sugar
Lime wedges

Combine all ingredients in the crock pot and cook on high for four hours or on low for six to eight hours. Shred pork, season to taste with salt and pepper and serve in soft flour tortillas with lettuce, tomatoes, chopped bell peppers, beans (if desired), cheese, and lime wedges. Alternate idea- omit the tortilla and serve as a salad.

Refried Beans
from Dinner's Ready
3 cups of dry pinto beans (rinsed)
1 onion, peeled & halved
9 cups of water
5 t salt
1 3/4 t pepper
2 T minced garlic (I use granulated when I'm in a hurry)
1/8 t ground cumin

Put all the ingredients in a crockpot and cook on high for about 8 hours. After the beans are soft, drain, reserving the liquid. Mash beans with a potato masher or use an immersion blender to reach the desired consistency. Add liquid, a bit at a time, to desired thickness, remembering they will thicken with time. Add salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!

These also taste amazing with our favorite Cafe Rio copycat recipe.