Frugal Foodie Friday - Slow Cooker Moo Shu Pork

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This is another simple dish that is as easy on the pocketbook as it is on the cook. This recipe was developed for the slow cooker and while it takes six hours to cook, it requires only 15 minutes to prepare. In all fairness, and to avoid the ire of my Asian friends and readers, this dish really should be called Moo Shu-ish Pork. It is similar to the genuine article, but some real shortcuts have been taken in its assembly. The most prominent of them being the substitution of flour tortillas for the Mandarin pancakes with which the dish is usually served. Does it make a difference? Sure, but when you are hurried, harried and hungry, a lot can be forgiven. This is a nice family meal that's perfect for those days when you are on the run and cannot tend to pots simmering on the stove. If money is really tight, you can, of course, shred the carrots and other slaw components yourself, but the packaged varieties add only pennies to the cost of this dish, so the savings will not be significant. The pork can also be served over rice if you wish to completely eliminate the pancakes. I hope you'll keep this dish in mind for some of your busier days. It will neither make nor break your reputation as a cook, but you'll win points for your budget acumen and ability to deliver a timely meal on a dime. Here is how this version of Moo Shu-ish pork is made.

Slow Cooker Moo Shu Pork...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Family Circle magazine

Ingredients:
1/2 cup hoisin Sauce
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons dark (Asian) sesame oil
2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 (16-oz.) bag shredded coleslaw mix
1/2 bag (about 5-oz.) shredded carrots
3/4 pound boneless pork loin chops
12 flour tortillas
Optional: green onion tops cut into strips

Directions:
1) Stir hoisin, garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce and cornstarch together in a bowl, set aside.
2) Place coleslaw mix and carrots into slow cooker. Cut pork chops into 1/8 inch slices, then cut each slice lengthwise in half. Place over veggies in slow cooker. Drizzle with 1/4 cup of hoisin sauce mixture. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours. Remove cover,stir in remaining hoisin mixture.
3) Heat tortillas according to package directions.Place 1/2 cup pork mixture into each warmed tortilla.Top with scallion strips. Roll up and enjoy. Yield; !2 stuffed pancakes.

                    

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