Tacos Al Pastor Replica

By RoketJSquerl

So, how can you create this dish at home, without building your own vertical rotisserie, stacking raw marinated pork into a big pile, or hiring your own swarthy, mustachioed taquero to make your tacos? You can’t. But, you can come awfully close. Here’s how to prepare tacos al pastor at home.

Ingredients

• Marinade:
• 2 pound boneless pork loin
• 2 Guajillo chiles
• 1 Ancho chile
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon crushed whole black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground sea salt
• 2 finely chopped white onions
• 6 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 2 teaspoons of achiote paste
• 1 cup of pineapple juice
• Toppings:
• 1 white onion, diced
• Fresh Pineapple chunks
• 1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped
• Corn tortillas
• Lime wedges

Preparation

Step 1

Slice pork as thinly as possible, diagonally against the grain, and set aside. Rehydrate dried chilies by covering in hot water. Let soak until soft, drain water, and remove tops, seeds, and membranes from each chili. Combine with onions, cinnamon, oregano, black pepper, sea salt, garlic, achiote paste, and pineapple juice in food processor, and pulse until thoroughly combined.

Transfer pork to gallon freezer bag, and pour marinade on top. Mix to make sure all pieces are coated, and marinate, refrigerated, for 24 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and remove meat from bag.

Arrange into “roll” or “loaf” shape on a baking sheet, cover with additional marinade, and cook for about an hour. The pork will still be pink, but don’t worry; finish it until cooked to your liking in a pan on the stovetop. Place a few slices of pork on a corn tortilla, and top with diced onions, cilantro, and a healthy squeeze of lime.