**Explore the Enchanting Flavors of Al Pastor: A Culinary Journey Through Traditional and Modern Recipes**
Embark on a tantalizing culinary adventure with our comprehensive guide to Al Pastor, a beloved Mexican dish that has captured the hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide. Discover the origins of this flavorful dish, rooted in the vibrant streets of Mexico, and delve into the secrets behind its unique marinade, an intricate blend of spices, herbs, and chiles that infuses pork with an explosion of taste.
This article presents a diverse collection of Al Pastor recipes, catering to various cooking preferences and skill levels. From the classic Al Pastor cooked on a vertical spit, a spectacle that adds flair to any gathering, to the convenience of oven-baked or skillet-cooked options, we have curated a selection that ensures everyone can savor this delectable dish.
Whether you're a seasoned grill master or a home cook seeking culinary inspiration, our recipes provide step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to guide you through the process, ensuring success every time. Explore the traditional Al Pastor recipe, a symphony of flavors achieved through slow roasting on a vertical spit, or opt for the oven-baked version, delivering a crispy exterior and juicy interior with minimal effort.
For those who prefer the convenience of a skillet, we offer a simplified recipe that captures the essence of Al Pastor in a single pan. And for those with a sweet tooth, our pineapple-infused Al Pastor recipe adds a delightful tropical twist to this classic dish.
Join us on this culinary expedition as we unveil the secrets of Al Pastor, a dish that embodies the vibrant spirit of Mexican cuisine. Let your taste buds embark on a journey of flavors, from the smoky and savory to the sweet and tangy, as you explore our collection of Al Pastor recipes. Prepare to be captivated by this iconic dish that promises to leave a lasting impression.
GRILLED PORK TENDERLOIN AL PASTOR WITH AVOCADO CREMA
Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King
Categories main-dish
Time 3h15m
Yield 10 to 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Add the pineapple juice, achiote paste, chipotles, garlic and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt to a food processor and puree until uniform. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the marinade for glazing. Put the remaining marinade and the pork in a resealable plastic bag and marinate for 2 hours in the fridge, rotating if necessary halfway through.
- Heat a grill to high heat; clean and oil the grill grates.
- Thread the onion rounds on the skewers, drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the onions, developing a deep char on each side, about 10 minutes per side. Set aside to cool.
- Lightly season the tenderloins once more, then grill on all 4 sides, frequently basting with the reserved marinade, until golden brown and the internal temperature registers 145 degrees F, 8 to 10 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate, tent loosely with foil and rest for 5 minutes.
- Mince the cooled onions and season again. Slice the pork and serve with a dollop of Avocado Crema and garnished with chopped cilantro and charred onions.
- Put the cilantro, Mexican cream, avocado and lime zest and juice in a food processor and run until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with plastic wrap pressed on top until serving, to keep the avocado from browning.
OVEN SPIT PORK AL PASTOR
This show-stopper of a dish will have everyone impressed: from the giant stack of tender pork chops perched atop a pineapple platform, to the juicy strips of flavorful meat carved off the stack. Warm tortillas and a spicy-sweet pineapple salsa round out this epic meal.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 3h15m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat and add the ancho chiles. Toast, turning halfway through, until fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the orange juice, honey, tomato paste, garlic, yellow onion, chipotle, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cook until the peppers and onions are soft, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth. Cool completely.
- Combine the cooled marinade with the pork chops in a large resealable bag and massage to coat the meat. Marinate for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Cut off the top of the pineapple and reserve. Cut the remaining pineapple in half crosswise. Peel both halves with a knife. Slice three 1/8-inch-thick rounds from the top half of the pineapple and set the rest aside. Place the bottom half of the pineapple in a medium cast-iron skillet and insert a long wooden skewer pointed tip up into the core of the pineapple. Thread one-quarter of the pork chops on the skewer, then slide on 1 cube of butter. Repeat with the remaining pork chops and butter, ending with the meat on top. Top with the 3 pineapple rounds and press the meat down firmly to compress the layers.
- Carefully transfer to the oven and cook until a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the meat stack registers 160 degrees F, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, core and dice the remaining pineapple. Combine with the cilantro, red onion, lime juice, habanero and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl.
- Transfer the stack of pork and pineapple to a cutting board and thread the reserved pineapple top on the skewer. Holding the pineapple top to stabilize the stack, use a sharp carving knife or electric knife to shave off thin pieces of meat. Serve with the tortillas and pineapple salsa.
GRILLED PORK TACOS AL PASTOR
Al Pastor is a really popular way to prepare pork, famous in San Francisco's Mission District. It's a marinated roast pork. They make the most incredible tacos and burritos. This is inspired by those flavors.
Provided by Chef John
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Time 9h25m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Place dried guajillo and pasilla chiles into a bowl and pour in boiling water to cover. Let chiles stand 30 minutes to soften.
- Cut pork tenderloins in half crosswise and in half again lengthwise again to make 8 long strips.
- Drain water from chiles and pour in pineapple juice and vinegar. Add garlic cloves, chipotle pepper, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, cumin, and oregano. Transfer chile mixture to a blender and blend to make a smooth marinade.
- Place pork into a resealable plastic bag and pour marinade over pork; knead bag several times to coat pork. Squeeze out excess air and seal the bag. Refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat outdoor grill (preferably charcoal) for high heat and lightly oil the grate.
- Remove pork from bag and drain and discard marinade; transfer pork to a platter. Drizzle meat with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and season with salt. Use tongs to gently stir pork pieces to coat lightly with oil.
- Cook pork strips on preheated grill until meat shows good grill marks and is lightly pink in the center, 7 to 8 minutes per side. An instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the center of the largest piece should read at least 145 degrees F (65 degrees C). Transfer pork to a fresh platter.
- Drizzle a nonstick skillet with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil and place over medium heat. Lay a tortilla into the hot oil and place 1 slice of Monterey Jack cheese into center of the tortilla. Cook until tortilla is hot, lightly browned on the bottom, and cheese has melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Repeat with remaining tortillas and cheese slices. Transfer each tortilla to a plate.
- Slice pork strips across the grain into pieces about 1/4 inch thick. Divide shredded cabbage onto each tortilla and top each with about 6 slices of pork, 1 tablespoon roasted tomato salsa, and a few slices of jalapeno pepper. Fold taco over fillings to eat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 256.2 calories, Carbohydrate 15.3 g, Cholesterol 56.8 mg, Fat 13.4 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 18.9 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 309.8 mg, Sugar 2.1 g
MEXICAN-STYLE PORK TACOS (TACOS AL PASTOR) RECIPE BY TASTY
It's Taco Tuesday! Or maybe it's taco ANYday because let's face it: there's never NOT a good day to eat a taco. But you don't want something basic. You want the real deal, and we're here to make that dream come true. With our super flavorful tacos al pastor, you're going to feel like you're at a food truck on a beach, chowing down on some of the best eats around.
Provided by Alvin Zhou
Categories Dinner
Yield 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Slice the pork shoulder into about 1-centimeter (¼ in) slices, then transfer to a large dish or bowl. In a medium bowl, combine the achiote paste, chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, vinegar, and pineapple juice, mashing and stirring until smooth with no lumps. Pour the marinade over the pork slices, then toss to make sure they are coated on all sides. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 3 days.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Place a slice or two of the pineapple on the baking sheet. Take a wooden skewer and push it directly in the middle of the pineapple. Remove the pork from the fridge and push the slices through the skewer, layering one after the other until there is a 1-inch (2 ½ cm) gap at the top. Push another pineapple slice on top.
- Bake for about 1½ hours, until the pork is slightly charred on the outside and deep red. Rest the meat for about 10 minutes, then carve off thin slices of pork and roasted pineapple.
- To assemble, place some pork on the tortillas, followed by a few pieces of pineapple, a sprinkling of onion, a pinch of cilantro, and a spoonful of salsa, and some diced avocado. Serve with lime wedges.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 597 calories, Carbohydrate 29 grams, Fat 32 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 48 grams, Sugar 10 grams
PORK AL PASTOR
Provided by Food Network
Time P1DT30m
Yield 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Puree the salt, pineapple, achiote and garlic in a blender until a thick paste forms, adding up to 1/4 cup water if necessary.
- Trim and remove most of the fat from the pork butt. Slice and then dice the trimmed meat and mix with half the puree. Place in the fridge and let sit for 24 hours.
- Before cooking the pork, rub the puree into the meat, adding more if necessary. Add to a skillet and cook over medium heat until the meat is cooked through and browned, 6 to 10 minutes.
- Serve in tacos, over rice and beans or on potatoes.
Tips:
- Use a flavorful cut of pork, such as pork shoulder or loin.
- Marinate the pork for at least 24 hours, or up to 3 days, for best results.
- Cook the pork over a medium-high heat to get a nice sear on the outside.
- Baste the pork with the marinade while it cooks to keep it moist.
- Serve the pork with your favorite sides, such as rice, beans, and tortillas.
Conclusion:
Al pastor marinated pork is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you're making tacos, burritos, or simply slicing it up and serving it with rice and beans, this recipe is sure to please. So next time you're looking for a flavorful and easy-to-make pork dish, give al pastor a try. You won't be disappointed!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love