Authentic Tacos al Pastor
Description
Tacos al pastor is a classic Mexican taco treat of tender pork marinated in a flavorsome pineapple-chile sauce with tomato, orange juice, and garlic.
Ingredients
•
1 tomato
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3 dried guajillo chile peppers, seeded
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2 dried ancho chile peppers, seeded
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1 pineapple, sliced 3/4-inch thick
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1/2 cup orange juice
•
1 onion, quartered
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1/4 cup white vinegar
•
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
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1 tablespoon salt, or to taste
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2 cloves garlic, crushed
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3 cloves
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1 teaspoon cumin seeds
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
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2 pounds boneless pork loin, thinly sliced
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1/2 cup chopped onion
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1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
1
Cook tomato on a ridged grill pan over medium-high heat until slightly blackened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool until easily handled. Peel off skin and remove seeds.
2
Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add guajillo and ancho chile peppers; cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Drain.
3
Combine tomato flesh, softened chile peppers, 2 slices pineapple, orange juice, quartered onion, vinegar, chipotle peppers, salt, garlic, cloves, cumin seeds, and oregano in a blender; blend until smooth.
4
Arrange pork slices in a glass or ceramic baking dish. Pour blended mixture over pork, ensuring all sides are evenly coated. Cover baking dish with plastic wrap.
5
Marinate pork in the refrigerator, 4 hours to overnight.
6
Cook remaining pineapple slices on a ridged grill pan over medium-high heat until slightly blackened and soft, about 5 minutes per side. Chop into small pieces.
7
Wipe out grill pan and preheat over medium-high heat. Cook marinated pork in the hot pan, turning once, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes.
8
Chop pork coarsely into small pieces against the grain. Serve with pineapple, chopped onion, and cilantro.