Pork al Pastor Tacos
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 ounce achiote paste
- 1 canned chipotle chile en adobo plus 4 tablespoons of the canning sauce
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil plus 2 Tbsp. more for the onion and pineapple
- 1 1/2 pounds pork shoulder cut into slices 1/4-inch-thick slices are ideal
- 1 medium red onion sliced 1/4- inch thick
- Salt
- 1/4 of a medium pineapple sliced 1/4-inch-thick rounds
- 20 warm corn tortillas
Instructions
- In a blender, combine the achiote paste, 3 chiles from the chipotle in adobo, canning sauce, oil and 3/4 cup water. Blend until smooth. Smear marinade over both sides of each piece of meat, cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.
- Light a charcoal fire and let the coals burn until covered with gray ash but still very hot; bank the coals to one side and set the grill grate in place. Or, heat one side of a gas grill to high. Brush both sides of the onions slices with oil and sprinkle with salt. Lay in a single layer on the hot side of the grill. When richly browned, usually just about a minute, flip and brown the other side; move to the cool side of the grill to finish softening to grilled-onion sweetness. Oil and grill the pineapple in the same way. Finally, in batches, grill the meat: it’ll take about a minute per side as well. As the meat is done, transfer it to a cutting board and chop it up (between 1/4- and 1/2-inch pieces). Scoop into a skillet and set over the grill to keep the meat warm. Chop the onion and pineapple into small pieces as well, add them to the skillet and toss everything together. Taste and season with salt, usually about 1/2 teaspoon. Serve with the tortillas and salsa for your guests to make soft tacos.