Tacos al pastor is a delicious Mexican dish that typically consists of marinated and grilled pork, sliced thinly, and served in tortillas with pineapple, onions, and cilantro. Here's a basic recipe and steps to make Tacos al pastor:
Ingredients:
For the marinade:
- 2 pounds (900g) pork shoulder, thinly sliced
- 3-4 dried guajillo or ancho chilies
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1/4 cup (60ml) white vinegar
- 1/4 cup (60ml) pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) achiote paste (optional)
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) paprika
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) black pepper
For serving:
- Corn tortillas
- Fresh pineapple, thinly sliced
- White onion, finely chopped
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges
- Salsa or hot sauce (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the marinade: Remove the stems and seeds from the dried chilies. Place the chilies in a bowl and cover them with hot water. Let them soak for about 15 minutes until they soften. Drain the water.
2. In a blender or food processor, combine the soaked chilies, garlic, vinegar, pineapple juice, achiote paste (if using), paprika, oregano, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Blend until you have a smooth paste.
3. Place the thinly sliced pork shoulder in a large bowl or resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the pork, making sure each piece is well coated. Cover the bowl or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to develop.
4. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If you don't have a grill, you can also cook the marinated pork in a large skillet or a grill pan on the stovetop.
5. Remove the pork from the marinade, shaking off any excess, and thread the slices onto skewers or place them directly on the grill. Cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until the pork is cooked through and slightly charred. Make sure to baste the pork with any remaining marinade while grilling.
6. Once cooked, remove the pork from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. Then, transfer it to a cutting board and thinly slice it into bite-sized pieces.
7. Warm the corn tortillas in a dry skillet or directly on the grill for a minute or two on each side until they become pliable.
8. Assemble the tacos: Place some slices of grilled pork onto each tortilla. Top with a few slices of fresh pineapple, chopped onion, and cilantro. Squeeze a lime wedge over the filling and add salsa or hot sauce if desired.
9. Serve the Tacos al pastor immediately, and enjoy!
Grilled Chicken with Steamed Broccoli.
Note: Feel free to adjust the spice level or add additional seasonings according to your taste preferences. Tacos al pastor are often served with a side of refried beans and Mexican rice for a complete meal.