Experience the tantalizing flavors of Pernil a la Maurita, a classic Puerto Rican dish that embodies the essence of the island's culinary heritage. This succulent pork shoulder is marinated in a flavorful blend of spices, including oregano, garlic, and cumin, then slow-roasted until fall-off-the-bone tender. Accompanying the pernil is a medley of delectable sides, each contributing its own unique charm to the overall symphony of tastes. The Arroz con Gandules, a flavorful rice dish bursting with the goodness of pigeon peas, sofrito, and annatto oil, perfectly complements the richness of the pork. The Ensalada de Coditos, a vibrant and refreshing salad featuring elbow macaroni, crisp vegetables, and a tangy dressing, adds a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. And to top it off, the Tostones, twice-fried green plantains, provide a crispy and savory element, completing this culinary masterpiece. Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
PERNIL
This Puerto Rican pork shoulder recipe is an amazing party dish.
Provided by Katie Workman
Categories Main Course
Time 6h40m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Score the fat on the pork shoulder in a criss-cross hatch fashion. Then, cut deeply once in each direction across the pork, like you are going to cut it into four quarters, but then leave them attached at the bottom. Use a sharp knife to make about 20 slits, about 1 inch deep, all over the meat. Place the meat in a 13 x 9 baking pan, or another shallow baking pan large enough to comfortably hold the meat with some space around it.
- Combine the oil, garlic, fresh and dried oregano, Adobo, paprika, salt and pepper. Rub the mixture all over the meat, working it all over the surface and into the slits. Cover the pork with foil and refrigerate overnight.
- Bring the pork to room temperature, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 300F°. Bake the pork, covered for 3 hours, then remove the foil and bake for another 3 to 4 hours at the same temperature, until the pork is fall-apart tender. The internal temperature should be at least 165°, but it may be higher, which is fine - it's most important that the meat is super tender. If you would like a crustier exterior, turn the heat to 375°F and bake for another 20 to 30 minutes, until the outside of the pork has a nice browned crust.
- Let the pernil sit for at least 20 minutes, then use your fingers (if it's not too hot; some people like to wear kitchen gloves to protect their fingers from the heat), or two forks to pull the meat into chunks. Sprinkle the meat with the lemon and orange juice, season with additional salt and pepper, and serve hot or warm.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 143 kcal, Carbohydrate 2 g, Protein 14 g, Fat 8 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 46 mg, Sodium 199 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving
PERNIL
Perhaps the best known and most coveted dish from Puerto Rico, pernil is a positively sumptuous preparation for pork shoulder. It's marinated (ideally overnight) in garlic, citrus and herbs, then slow-roasted on high heat to achieve a crisp chicharrón, or skin. Traditionally, it's prepared for Thanksgiving or Christmas, but for those of us in the diaspora, it's made for most special occasions. Shoulder is also a relatively inexpensive cut of meat, and it yields a lot of servings, leading to exciting leftovers. This recipe is deeply indebted to the chef Maricel Presilla and her recipe in "Gran Cocina Latina," her cookbook published in 2012. Her method is a foolproof way to get that chicharrón as well as tender meat that falls off the bone. It's blessed by her brilliance. (Watch the video of Von Diaz making pernil here.)
Provided by Von Diaz
Categories dinner, meat, main course
Time 4h
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Prepare the adobo by combining all the ingredients and grinding in a large pilón or mortar and pestle, or simply mixing together well in a small bowl.
- Prepare the pork: Rinse and dry meat well with a clean towel. Place pork skin-side down on a large rimmed sheet pan and poke deep, 1-inch holes throughout the meat and in the fatty layer with a paring knife, being careful not to pierce the skin. You can't have too many holes.
- Pour over adobo in batches, using your fingers to push adobo deep into the meat. If you're worried about your hands smelling like garlic - which they will! - wear gloves.
- Set out a long sheet of plastic wrap, layering with subsequent sheets as needed to ensure you can securely wrap the entire pork shoulder. Transfer pork to plastic wrap and wrap tightly, adding sheets of plastic as needed to ensure pork is completely airtight and juices are contained. Let marinate in the fridge overnight if possible, or at least least 2 to 3 hours. Set on a rimmed baking sheet or disposable aluminum foil pan in case it leaks.
- Once the pork has marinated, heat oven to 400 degrees. Working over the sink, carefully remove pork from plastic wrap, discarding any remaining adobo. Place the marinated pork shoulder skin-side up in a deep roasting pan, and wipe the skin with a clean cloth. Rub skin with 1 teaspoon salt.
- Loosely tent foil over the pork shoulder, spraying the foil with cooking spray or brushing with oil in any areas that may touch the skin, as it will stick. Transfer to the center of the oven.
- Roast in the oven for 1 hour, then carefully remove the foil and rotate the pan. Continue roasting for another 2 to 3 hours, rotating every hour or so, and watching closely. Add water to the pan as needed when juices evaporate. The meat is done cooking when the juices run clear and the thickest part of the leg registers 160 degrees with a meat thermometer. The skin may take more time to crisp, but watch closely so that it does not burn. Tap the top of the skin with the back of a knife or metal spatula, and listen for a decidedly hollow sound.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes, then transfer to a large cutting board. (For cleaning instructions for the pan, see Notes.) If desired, remove the skin from the roast by slicing it along the underside of the bone with a long, sharp, slender knife. Run the knife underneath the skin starting from the bottom until loosened, then lift the skin from the meat. Use kitchen shears to cut into serving pieces, and let them rest in the warm oven until ready to eat. Trim excess fat from the meat if desired, and slice as desired, in large chunks or slices, to serve.
LA CATIRA
Steps:
- For la catira: In a pot, boil the chicken with the cilantro, salt, garlic powder, oregano, bay leaves and 6 cups water over medium heat for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and separate the broth from the chicken. Shred the chicken. To the broth, add the tomato, onions, tomato paste, cumin, garlic and shredded chicken.
- Boil, covered, until the chicken is stewed, another 30 minutes.
- For the arepa: Add the salt to 2 cups water in a bowl, then add the corn flour and knead little by little, making circular movements and breaking any lumps that may form with your fingers, until the dough is soft and manageable. Divide the dough in four equal portions. Roll them into balls, then flatten into 1/2-inch-thick discs.
- Preheat a plancha or griddle, then grease with the olive oil and place a disc on it. Cook 4 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining discs.
- Open the arepa in half with a knife, then stuff with the stewed chicken, shredded cheese and Garlic Sauce. Decorate with the microgreens.
- Blend the mayonnaise, cilantro, parsley, mustard and garlic in a blender until you get a creamy sauce.
BEST PERNIL EVER
This is the traditional Puerto Rican holiday meal. My Grandma's recipe is unique because she marinates the meat in wine overnight. This pork roast is the most tender, flavorful meat you'll ever taste. You won't need a knife.
Provided by Dinica
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Caribbean
Time P1DT6h5m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Crush garlic into small pieces in a mortar and pestle. Add olive oil, salt, oregano, and black pepper; mash into a paste.
- Make 12 deep incisions a few inches apart in the roast using a sharp knife. Pack the seasoned garlic paste evenly into the incisions and over the roast.
- Transfer roast to a large bowl. Pour in red wine, covering roast completely. Cover with plastic wrap and let marinate in the refrigerator, 24 hours.
- Pour out red wine. Place roast fat-side up in a roasting pan; cover with aluminum foil. Let sit at room temperature, about 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Place roast in the preheated oven; reduce temperature to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Bake until slightly pink in the center, about 4 hours.
- Increase temperature to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Uncover roast and continue baking until fat is crispy and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), about 1 hour more.
- Remove from oven and let rest before carving, 20 to 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 463.3 calories, Carbohydrate 4.1 g, Cholesterol 104.3 mg, Fat 26.5 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 27.2 g, SaturatedFat 9.3 g, Sodium 374.9 mg, Sugar 0.8 g
Tips:
- Selecting the right pork shoulder is crucial for tender and flavorful pernil. Choose a shoulder with a good amount of marbling for maximum flavor.
- Preparing the marinade is essential for infusing flavor into the pernil. Combine spices, citrus juices, and herbs to create a flavorful marinade.
- Score the pork shoulder before marinating to allow the marinade to penetrate deeply.
- Marinate the pork shoulder for at least 8 hours, or overnight, to ensure maximum flavor absorption.
- Slow-cooking the pernil is key to achieving tender and succulent meat. Cook the pernil in a covered roasting pan at a low temperature for several hours.
- Baste the pernil with the marinade or cooking juices throughout the cooking process to keep it moist and flavorful.
- For a crispy skin, increase the oven temperature towards the end of the cooking time and broil the pernil until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
- Allow the pernil to rest before slicing and serving. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and tender dish.
- Serve the pernil with traditional accompaniments such as rice, beans, and plantains for an authentic Puerto Rican experience.
Conclusion:
Creating a delicious and authentic Pernil a la Maurita requires careful selection of ingredients, proper preparation, and slow, patient cooking. By following these tips and the detailed recipe, you can create a flavorful and tender pork dish that will impress your family and friends. Remember, the key to a successful pernil is in the marinade and the slow-cooking process. With a little planning and effort, you can enjoy this classic Puerto Rican dish in the comfort of your own home.
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