Tacos Al Pastor are traditional tacos made famous in Mexico City. The pork is marinated in chiles, fresh pineapple and spices and served with grilled pineapple on tortillas.
Ingredients
1fresh ripe pineapple
marinade and meat:
1/2cuporange juice
1/4cupwhite vinegar
1/4cupchili powder, YES! 1/4 cup!
2-3garlic cloves, halved
2teaspoonscoarse kosher salt
1teaspoondried oregano, preferably Mexican
1teaspoonground cumin
1/2cupchipotle chiles, chopped, see notes
2 1/2-to 3-poundpork tenderloin*
15-20Corn tortillas, flour may also be used
toppings:
1/2cupchopped fresh cilantro
2cupschopped cabbage, optional
remaining chopped onion
lime wedges
Guacamole Taquero (optional)
6tomatillos, husked, washed and quartered
1/2cupcilantro leaves, washed
1lime, juiced
1teaspoon kosher or sea salt
1clove fresh garlic
1jalapeno seeded and coarse chopped
1Anaheim chile, chopped
1ripeavocado, peeled
1cuponion (sweet or white) rough chopped
Instructions
To make Guacamole Taquero or Taco Shop Guac, blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Will keep in fridge for one week.
Early in the morning, or preferably the day before serving:
Cut off outer edge and top of pineapple and discard. Slice pineapple in half, long way. Slice into half again. You should have four, long wedges of pineapple. Remove the core and discard. Place one of the four wedges on cutting board and chop coarsely. Set other three wedges aside for grilling. You may cut these into smaller wedges (see photo) before grilling if desired.
Place the single chopped wedge of pineapple in blender. Add orange juice and next 7 ingredients; puree marinade until smooth. Place pork in large Ziplock bag. Add marinade and seal bag. Turn to coat. Chill at least 1 hour and up to 1 day. If you are cooking pork on grill, leave whole, if you are using oven, you may cut the pork into pieces ahead of time.
The following day, or later in the day:
Prepare Traeger Grill and set temperature to 450 degrees. When the grill is heated, insert thermometer into thickest part of tenderloin and grill on each side for about 8-10 minutes per side or until internal temperature is 155-160 degrees. Remove from grill and immediately wrap in foil or Saran wrap and let rest for about 15 minutes on a plate. See recipe notes for broiling directions.
Meanwhile, grill remaining wedges of pineapple until warm and slightly charred, 6-8 minutes per side. Remove from heat, set aside.
While pineapple is cooking, chop onion. Grill tortillas until warm and slightly charred, about 10 seconds per side on Traeger or on griddle. When pineapple is finished cooking, chop or leave in wedges and set on platter. Chop or slice meat as well and place on platter or leave on cutting board.Arrange pineapple, onions, tortillas, lime wedges, cilantro and chopped cabbage on a platter. Serve with Guacamole Taquero if desired.
Notes
-You may purchase a small (7.5 oz) can of Chipotle Chiles in sauce and use the chiles right out of the can. I have used the El Mexicano brand found at Smith's (Kroeger). Or, you may use chopped fresh Anaheim chiles and add 2 tablespoons of Chipotle Chile Powder. -You may serve this dish with a variety of toppings and or salsas. I love grated cabbage on tacos, even when they aren't fish tacos. Sliced cucumbers and radishes are a perfect addition, and always served at Chunga's.-All of the prep- marinating the meat, grilling the pineapple, chopping the onions and cilantro and preparing any sauces served with the tacos may be done ahead. On the day of serving, simply cook the meat and chop. Grill the tortillas and serve.-Pork loin, which is generally used in this recipe is easily overcooked. I prefer and highly recommend Pork Tenderloin in this recipe. -A Pork Butt (Boston Butt) will also work. Since almost 1/2 of the butt meat is lost in fat removal, use a 5 lb Boston or Pork Butt. Marinate overnight. Cook on low for about 6 hours, remove fat and serve. Or, cook in 275 oven (sealed tightly with foil) for about 6 hours. Shred and remove fat.-If you don't have a Traeger, you may use a regular barbecue grill. Set the heat to medium-high and grill until internal temperature reaches 155-160 degrees, turning once.-If using an oven, cut the meat into cubes and marinate as directed for at least 1 hour. Remove meat from marinade and place the meat in a pan and broil for about 8-10 minutes total, mixing gently about half way through cooking. watch carefully to make sure meat does not burn.