3 Perfect Side Dishes for Your Pig Roast

In any roast dinner where the pig roast is the star of the show, having a whole selection of side dishes will surely complement it. In most countries, they have at least two or three vegetable, potato or salad variations to accompany their hog roast.
 

Here are some of our mouth watering suggestions:
 
Roasted vegetables
 

Source: pixabay.com

Toss vegetables with salt, pepper and olive oil, then throw them in a 400 degrees Fahrenheit oven is the normal way to roast them. However, lowering the temperature down a bit would result in vegetables roasted to perfection.

 

For larger cuts of vegetables like carrots or half of cauliflower, roast them at 250 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid the risk of an undercooked inside with a burned outside.

 
Vegetables cooked this way is already incredibly tasty on its own but this is one of the perfect complements for a roast pork.
 
Ratatouille
 

The secret of a good ratatouille is to cook the vegetables separately so each will taste truly of itself.

— Joël Robuchon, The Complete Robuchon

 

The key ingredient to this dish is the TOMATO. Add onions, garlic, zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, fennel, marjoram, bay leaf, basil, and thyme. You may also opt to ad a mix of green herbs.

 

There are so many ways to make this dish but the traditional way is to simply saute all of the said vegetables above together. Others insist on the layering approach where all sauteed vegetables are layered in a casserole then baked in the oven. Another popular way of cooking this is not by baking it but simply combining all them in a large pot and let it simmer.

 

Spanish Style Rice

 

This is definitely a must for every pig roast dinner! Here's a easy tip to follow if you want to make your own spanish style rice at home:

 

To keep the texture of the grains after they are cooked, you must saute the rice in sizzling oil until they are toasted and golden brown. Then let it simmer in onions, chicken stock and a puree of tomatoes so it would really absorb all the additional flavors. Squeeze lime, toss a bunch of cilantro and fluff it with a fork. Voila! You now have your own Spanish Style rice to pair with your roast pork!

 

Try these perfect side dishes for your whole pig roast and let us know what you think. We also have here our very own Texas brisket recipe, tips on cooking prime rib and roast beef grilling instructions for you. Only use the best barbecue grill in the market to serve the most delicious grilled dishes. Get your La Caja China roasting box now by calling us at 1-800-338-1323!
 

Even the most influential people in the food industry cannot deny La Caja China's magical results when cooking any kinds of food. Find out what they say:
 

3 Perfect Side Dishes for Your Pig Roast first appeared on http://Blog.LaCajaChina.com.

La Caja China Roasting Boxes Available on Maui

The process for roasting a pig in the ground in the traditional Hawaiian style involves lots of hard work, a huge amount of preparation, long cooking times, plus countless required items such as burlap fabric, banana leaves, round river rocks, cord-wood, chicken wire, plastic tarp and, of course, a clean, butchered pig!

 

Now, imagine being able to roast a pig and obtain as good as (or better) results in a fraction of the time and without the need for all that extra stuff. This is exactly what La Caja China BBQ Roasting Boxes let you do. And the results are nothing short of fantastic!

 

Moist, succulent pig surrounded by crispy skin, cooked above ground in what's been called the "magic box" by world-renowned chef and television personality Bobby Flay. Other TV chefs, including Martha Stewart and Andrew Zimmern, also sing high praises of La Caja China Roasting Boxes. They all love the product.

 

Originally conceived by a Cuban who observed Chinese railroad workers employing a similar device in Havana's Chinatown, the roasting box became popular when the idea was brought to Miami, FL, and spread among the Cuban-American community.

 

It's now catching fire in Hawaii, where this quick, efficient method for roasting pig has found a true home. You simply need a roasting box, some charcoal and a pig. The box is lined with aluminum and retains heat from the coals sitting above the lid. The pig sits below in a two-sided grid cage and cooks at a steady 325⁰. Done in under four hours, the process is quicker and easier, and it makes cleanup a snap. Check out La Caja China at the Ace Hardware Stores on Maui below or other Hawiian islands are listed here

 

Kihei Ace Hardware
1280 S Kihei Rd
Kihei, Hawaii
(808) 879-7060

 

Lahaina Ace Hardware
840 Wainee St
Lahaina, Hawaii
(808) 661-0814

 

Puakalani Ace Hardware
55 Pukalani St
Pukalani, Hawaii
(808) 572-5566

La Caja China Roasting Boxes Available on Maui first appeared on http://Blog.LaCajaChina.com.

La Caja China Says Aloha to Hawaii

Ace Hardware to carry famous pig roasting box on the Big Island & Kauai

 

Hosting a luau for friends and family to celebrate the warm sun and bloom is a great way to kick off the summer season. Fresh fruit, vivid leis and soft ukulele music are great to have, but no luau is complete without some delicious roasted pork. La Caja China roasting boxes are perfect for any size luau and make incredible pork in half the time. But in order to properly cook your meat and savor the taste, you must first understand the history of the traditional Hawaiian luau.

 

The traditional Hawaiian luau was actually the result of a major cultural change made in Hawaii almost 200 years ago. In ancient Hawaii, men and women were separated at meals and not allowed to enjoy delicacies reserved only for royalty, such as bananas and pork. However, in 1819, King Kamehameha II removed all religious law practiced in the islands, therefore allowing men and women to eat meals together. Quiet dinners became group gatherings and then became large celebrations, which eventually led to the lū'au.
Today's luaus are vibrant, colorful and filled with the aroma of sweet pork and fresh fruit. Although traditional luaus cook the whole pig in a hole in the sand, our BBQ box allows it to be cooked above ground, which is more convenient and easier for cleanup. With resting coals on top and an insulated aluminum-lined box, the heat is retained inside so that the pig cooks thoroughly without losing any juices. The flavors are locked in, the skin is crispy and golden and the meat is succulent.  Luau food is usually served buffet style, however, some guests can hardly wait as they line up at the front of our pig roaster, also known as a Cajun microwave. Long grain rice, Hawaiian sweet potatoes and haupia, a Hawaiian coconut milk-based dessert, are also great side additions to the party.

 

Although the side dishes are important, there is nothing more vital to a luau than a juicy, roasted pig. The La Caja China pig roasting box is the perfect way to evenly and professionally cook pork right in your backyard or on a sandy beach. And we are excited to announce that we are now officially available at eight different Ace Hardware locations in Hawaii! We wanted to share our pork roasting secrets and make our product more accessible to our customers, even those over four thousand miles away from our Miami, Florida, headquarters.

 

La Caja China created the roasting box in 1985 when we needed a faster way to cook pork. After working tirelessly to find the perfect cooking method, our roasting box is able to cook between 18-200 pounds of meat in about four hours! All you need now is some friends to dig in with you! Visit a participating Ace Hardware store and make La Caja China a part of your next Hawaiian luau.

 

KEAAU ACE HARDWARE #11739-R
Keaau Town Center
Keaau, Hawaii 96749
966-7170
966-7444

 

HILO ACE HARDWARE #11718-H
660 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, Hawaii  96720
961-3741
CAPTAIN COOK ACE HARDWARE #11732-V
Captain Cook, Hawaii 96704
323-2655

 

RANCHO ACE #14114-B
Ocean View, Hawaii 96737
929-7315

 

KAPAA ACE HARDWARE #11737-U
1105 Kuhio Highway
Kapaa, Hawaii 96746
822-7751

 

KAMUELA ACE/BEN FRANKLIN #11744-W (5603)
67-1149 Mamalahoa Highway
Kamuela, Hawaii 96743
885-6059

 

KAUAI ACE/BEN FRANKLIN #11735- J (9736)
4100 Rice Street
Lihue, Hawaii 96766
245-4091

 

KONA ACE HARDARE #11742-T
74-5500 Kaiwi Street
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
329-2981

La Caja China Says Aloha to Hawaii first appeared on http://Blog.LaCajaChina.com.

Recetas Inovadores y Deliciosas Para Navidades: Pierna Criolla a La Caja China

Aunque ya han terminado las fiestas Navideñas, ¡no significa que tenemos que dejar de cocinar!

Aquí en La Caja China nos encanta cocinar para la familia y los amigos. Esto puede ser difícil si tienes mucha familia y amigos, como nosotros, y tienes que adivinar qué cocinar para todos. Sin embargo, con tu Caja China, cocinar para mucha gente es fácil.

Este año nuevo queremos compartir con ustedes una de nuestras recetas favoritas: Pierna Criolla a La Caja China. Aunque no es lo tradicional, alimenta entre 8 y 10 personas y no toma mucho esfuerzo. ¡Todos se asombraran y halagan a tu cocina por ser innovadora y deliciosa!

Ingredientes

•    1 hombro de puerco de 3.6 kilos
•    ½ kilo de jamón
•    1 botella de Malta
•    1 tasa de mojo
•    1 tasa de cáscaras de guayaba
•    1 tasa de ciruelas
•    4 cucharadas de adobo
•    2 tazas de azúcar morena
•    2 cucharadas de sal
Instrucciones para cocinar

1.    Separa el hueso del hombro y aplana la carne para que puedas enrollarla. Si el hombro de puerco tiene mucha grasa, se puede remover un poco.
2.    Marca la grasa con un cuchillo y marina el hombre por un mínimo de 12 horas en el mojo y adobo.
3.    Forra la carne con pedazos de jamón, bacón, y cáscaras de guayaba.
4.    Enrolla la carne con cuidado para mantener el relleno adentro.
5.    Amárralo firmemente con cuerda de carnicería.
6.    Cubre la carne con azúcar morena y media botella de Malta.
Instrucciones para el horno

1.    Cocina el hombro de puerco por una hora en el horno a 325 grados.
2.    Después de que pase la hora, cubre la carne con la otra mitad de la botella de Malta y cocínala por media hora más o hasta que tu carne tenga una temperatura de 180 grados.
3.    Deja y que carne se enfrié y luego córtala en trozos finos.
4.    Ponga los jugos de cocción en la carne.

Después de esto, ¡listo! Ya tiene uno de sus platos para la fiesta o reunión familiar. Pero no se le olvida que con La Caja China se puede hacer mucha comida distinta al mismo tiempo. De hecho, con La Caja China se puede cocinar 16-18 pollos, 4-6 pavos, 8-10 hombros de puerco, y mucho más.

Uno solo tiene que usar su imaginación.

Recetas Inovadores y Deliciosas Para Navidades: Pierna Criolla a La Caja China first appeared on http://Blog.LaCajaChina.com.

6 razones para regalar La Caja China estas Navidades

No hay nada más importante que la familia durante las fiestas navideñas. Comemos con la familia, argumentamos con la familia, nos reímos con la familia, y sobre todo: celebramos con la familia, y damos gracias por estar juntos otro año más.

 

Cuando se ponga a pensar qué sería el regalo perfecto para la familia estas Navidades, lo primero que tiene que hacer es pensar en qué es lo más importante para usted y su familia, no solo esta temporada, pero todo el año. Aquí en La Caja China, la respuesta es simple: valoramos tiempo con la familia y agradecemos a todo que nos permite pasar más tiempo con ella.

 

La cuestión sobre el regalo perfecto puede ser difícil, pero para nosotros es fácil: un horno de asar La Caja China. No solamente te permite ponerte tu sombrero de chef, pero también te permite cocinar para mucha gente. Aquí les resumimos lo más destacado de nuestro horno de asar La Caja China y les explicamos por qué es el regalo perfecto para la familia estas Navidades.

 

1. Se puede cocinar un cochinillo (o un cordero, o una cabra) entero de 32 kilos sin problema

Nuestra empresa nació en una reunión familiar donde, por casualidad, estábamos cocinando un cochinillo entero. Es decir, estábamos tratando de cocinarlo. En la Navidad del 1985 el asado se estaba tardando mucho y fue entonces que el padre de nuestro presidente Roberto Guerra Jr. le menciono a Jr. la caja de asar que vio en el barrio chino de la Habana en el año 1955 que consistía de una caja de madera con una tapa de metal la cual tenía el carbón encima y asaba las carnes rápido y jugoso. Ahí fue donde decidieron crear su propia caja china.

 

La Caja China es un horno de asar grande y largo que usa un forro de aluminio para mantener una temperatura uniforme. Su diseño permite cocinar cochinillos, corderos y varias otras comidas sin problema. La temperatura uniforme permite que la comida se cocine más rápido. A diferencia de otros hornos de asar, La Caja China no necesita que usted esté atento a la comida todo el tiempo. No se necesita vigilar el carbón constantemente. Mirar el carbón una vez cada hora es suficiente. Esto permite que se relaje y que pase más tiempo con la familia.

 

2.    Se puede cocinar varias cosas al mismo tiempo
Si usted no quiere cocinar un cochinillo, en una La Caja China también se puede cocinar varias cosas diferentes. Por ejemplo, se puede cocinar 16-18 pollos enteros, 4-6 pavos, 8-10 hombros de puerco,  y muchas cosas más. Si quiere saber cómo cocinar algo, no dude en contactarnos. Es probable que ya lo hemos cocinado o si no lo hemos cocinado todavía, encontraremos una manera de hacerlo!

 

3.    Martha Stewart la ha usado

Una de nuestros momentos más orgullos fue cuando Martha Stewart usó una La Caja China en su programa de televisión. Esto nos permite acertar al mundo que nuestro horno de asar funciona bien y que es uno de los mejores hornos en el mercado. Si no se fían de nosotros, póngale atención a Martha Stewart, que le encantó La Caja China.

 

4.    No cuesta una fortuna como otros hornos de asar de la misma calidad
Quisimos hacer La Caja China asequible para todos, especialmente para familias. Una familia tiene muchas gastos y algunas no pueden permitirse un horno de asar. Nuestros modelos originales empiezan en $319.99. El más caro de estos modelos, que se puede usar para fiestas y también para restaurantes, cuesta $999.99.

 

5.    Dura 15-18 años si es cuidada
Puede estar seguro de que una La Caja China es una buena inversión porque durará por muchos años. Si se cuida, nuestros modelos pueden durar entre 15 y 18 años. Nuestras partes de repuesto también son muy económicas y todas se pueden encontrar en nuestra web.

 

6.    Es perfecta para las fiestas de Navidad, Año Nuevo, 4 de julio, etc.
Este es uno de los puntos más importantes. A muchas familias les da un dolor de cabeza cuando piensan en cómo van a cocinar para toda la familia y cuánto tiempo se va a tomar. Con un horno de asar La Caja China, no necesita preocuparse. Puede cocinar un cochinillo, un cordero, varios pollos, pavos, y lo que sea, sin preocupación, permitiéndole pasar más tiempo conversando con la familia y haciendo memorias.

6 razones para regalar La Caja China estas Navidades first appeared on http://Blog.LaCajaChina.com.

Side Dishes For A Smoked Pig

Are you roasting pig this weekend? Pair that crispy skin and tender meat with a delectable side dish to make the meal even more enticing! If you are running out of recipe ideas, worry no more because we’re serving up another batch of tasty side dishes today! Check out these treats we compiled just for you!

1. Barbecue Deviled Eggs

Put your eggs in a large saucepan and make sure that you only have one layer of them. Don’t put them on top of the other ones. Add water with a depth of 3 inches. Bring the water to a boil and cover the saucepan. Remove the saucepan from the stove and let it stand for approximately 15 minutes. Then drain the water and replace it with cold water and ice. Tap the eggs to break the shells then peel them under running water. Cut the boiled eggs in half and remove the yolks. Mash the egg yolks with mayonnaise until smooth. Add the pork, Dijon mustard, pepper, salt and hot sauce. Mix the ingredients well then spoon the mixture. Place it into the egg whites and garnish with paprika.

2. Root Beer Baked Beans

Cook your bacon in a skillet until they’re crisp. Drain the oil by putting the bacon on paper towels. Set aside about 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat. Afterward, crumble the bacon. Sauté the garlic and onions in the skillet with the bacon fat. Remove the skillet from heat then add the bacon, beans, rootbeer, dry mustard, barbecue sauce and the Tabasco sauce. Stir the ingredients well then put the mixture in a baking dish. Bake for approximately 55 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Creamy Parmesan Bacon Potatoes

Cook the bacon until they’re crisp. Drain the fat and once again, set it aside. Melt some butter with garlic olive oil in a skillet. Add the potatoes and season with salt and pepper. Cook the spuds for about 20 minutes until they’re almost crispy. Remove the potatoes from the skillet and keep them warm. For the sauce, get some of the bacon fat from the skillet. Add some whipping cream and simmer until the mixture is reduced. Finally, add some parmesan cheese and continue stirring until the mixture is smooth. Toss the potatoes in the sauce and serve.

4. Mississippi Hush Puppies

Combine self-rising flour, cornmeal mix and sugar in a large bowl. Create a well at the center. Get another bowl and combine the eggs, diced onion, milk, green bell pepper and jalapeno pepper. Once stirred completely, pour these ingredients into the well you’ve created in the other bowl. Continue stirring until everything’s well-blended. Put some oil into a large saucepan and pour some batter in it. Once cooked, drain hush puppies on paper towels and serve with the pig roast.

5. Cast Iron Skillet Corn Bread

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and put a skillet inside. While waiting, make the batter. Get a large bowl and combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cornmeal, salt and baking soda. Whisk the buttermilk in, the milk and the eggs. Whisk some butter, too. Remove the skillet from the oven and coat it with butter. Pour the batter into the skillet and then put it back into the oven. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

We hope that you loved our suggestions for smoked pig side dishes. Visit our blog page to get more pig roast side dish ideas, pig roast rub recipes as well as learn how to bbq a pig or how to use the pig thermometer. And remember, to serve the tastiest grilled dishes, only use the best barbecue grill in town!  Visit our website or call us at 1-800-338-1323 to get your La Caja China now!

Check out this delicious Cuban pork roast recipe we found on YouTube!

Side Dishes For A Smoked Pig first appeared on http://Blog.LaCajaChina.com.

How Long Does It Take To Roast A Whole Pig?

Roasting a whole pig may be challenging for some but with the right equipment, a perfect marinade and helpful tools, you’ll be able to serve a lip-smacking treat that your friends and family will all love! Now we have always been asked by customers about the roasting time of a whole pig. We know that grilling such a big chunk of meat is quite time-consuming if we do it the traditional way. And that is why we take pride in our La Caja China boxes because they cook pigs to perfection while cutting the roasting time by almost half. This is what we want to talk about today. Read on and learn more about whole pig roasting!

How To Roast A Whole Pig

1. Place the marinated whole pig between the two racks. Be careful when hooking it up with the S-hooks and never poke the pig’s skin. The pig should face away from the handle racks.

2. Put the drip tray inside the box. Put the racks in, too. Follow up with the ash pan and then the charcoal grid.

3. Add the first batch of charcoal on the grid and light them all up. After about 20 to 25 minutes, they should be ready. Spread them all over the grid and mark this as the start of your roasting time.

4. After one hour, add another batch of charcoals. After another hour, add another batch again. The last batch of coals will be added after 30 minutes.

5. After 30 minutes since you put the last batch of charcoal, remove the ashes carefully. Put the charcoal grid on top of the long handles then flip the racks to turn the pig on its other side.

6. Score the pig’s skin. It’s time to make it crispy! After scoring the pig’s skin with a sharp knife, cover the La Caja China with the ash pan and charcoal grid again. Let the pig cook for another 30 minutes then peek into the box. Keep on looking inside every 10 minutes until the skin reaches your desired crispiness.

If you’ll follow our instructions above, it will take you only about 4 ½ to 5 hours to roast your whole pig. This time already includes the 20 to 25 minutes you’ll spend prepping the first batch of charcoals. Pretty fast compared to traditional roasting which takes about 8 to 9 hours, right?

How To Roast A Whole Pig Without The Skin

1. Put the pig between two racks and secure them using the 4 S-hooks that came with your La Caja China.

2. Put the drip tray in place then put the racks in there, too. Make sure that the pig is facing ribs side down. Attach your wired thermometer into the pig’s leg. Don’t let the probe touch the bone.

3. Put the ash pan and charcoal grid in place. Add the first batch of charcoals and light them all up. After 20 minutes, spread the coals on the grid evenly. Take note of this as the start of your cooking time.

4. After an hour, open the La Caja China. Remove the charcoal grid and ash pan then flip the pig over. This time, the pig’s ribs should face upwards. After flipping the pig, put the ash pan and grid back in place. Add another batch of charcoal.

5. After another hour, add another batch of charcoals. Keep on adding coals every hour until your thermometer displays 185 degrees Fahrenheit. Never open the box again until the pig reaches your desired temperature.

The time spent in roasting a whole pig without the skin may vary depending on how you grill it. If you’ll open the box every now and then, you’ll have a hard time reaching the desired temperature. But if you follow the instructions accordingly, you’ll spend just about 4 to 5 hours, too.

We hope your learned how long does it take to roast a whole pig from our blog today. Also check out our pig roast side dish ideas, criollo marinade, whole pig roast marinade, how to season a whole pig for roasting and barbecue dipping sauces. And remember, serve the tastiest grilled dishes by using only the best barbecue grill in town! Visit our website or call us at 1-800-338-1323 to get your La Caja China now!

Learn how you can get a 10% discount on your next La Caja China purchase! Watch our video now.

How Long Does It Take To Roast A Whole Pig? first appeared on http://Blog.LaCajaChina.com.