Al Pastor

[LarryR]

Click HERE for original.

I've done this as a whole putt and chunks as they suggest and I've got to say I prefer the chunk method but cook at a lower temperature A couple of guys have done it on the rotisserie as they do at Taquería Vista with very good results, if you've got one I'd use it.

In case the link goes bad or your not registered w/the LA Times:

Total time: 3 hours, 10 minutes, plus 8 hours marinating

Servings: 8

Note: At Taquería Vista Hermosa in Los Angeles, the marinated pork is sliced, then packed onto a commercial rotisserie for long cooking. We adapted this recipe from Raúl Morales for the oven, resulting in shredded, rather than sliced, meat. The dried chiles and the achiote paste are available in well-stocked supermarkets and at Latino markets.

3 California chiles

1 ancho chile

1 guajillo chile

1 cascabel chile

1 chile de árbol

1 bay leaf

3/4 cup orange juice

1/4 cup pineapple juice

1 tablespoon white vinegar

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 clove garlic

2 tablespoons salt

3/4 teaspoon pepper

3/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon Mexican oregano

1/4 teaspoon achiote condimentada (seasoned achiote paste)

1 onion, sliced thin, divided

5 pounds boneless pork butt, cut into 8 chunks

1/2 pineapple, peeled, sliced 1/2-inch thick,and cut into quarters

1. Combine 5 cups of water, the California, ancho, guajillo and cascabel chiles, the chile de árbol and the bay leaf in a large pot and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand until softened, about 5 minutes. Drain the chiles, discard the bay leaf and remove and discard the stems and seeds of the chiles.

2. Place the softened chiles in a food processor with the orange and pineapple juices, vinegar, cinnamon, sea salt, garlic, salt, pepper, garlic salt, oregano, achiote paste and half the onion. Pureé until smooth.

3. Pour the marinade into a large resealable plastic bag, add the meat and toss to coat. Refrigerate 24 hours.

4. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Place half the pineapple in an even layer in the bottom of a roasting pan. Place the pork on top, followed by the remaining pineapple and the remaining sliced onion. Cover with foil and roast until meat breaks apart with a fork, about 2 to 2 1/2hours. Remove the meat from the pan, discard the pineapple and set aside the pan juices.

5. Put the meat on a rack in a baking pan, baste it with the pan juices and place under the broiler to crisp the edges of the meat, about 3 minutes. Turn and cook for a few more minutes.

6. Remove the meat from the oven and let stand until cool enough to handle, then, with a fork, shred and pull it apart and place on a serving platter. Spoon pan juices over to moisten. Serve with corn tortillas and condiments, allowing everyone to make their own tacos.

Each serving: 591 calories; 1,195 mg. sodium; 174 mg. cholesterol; 42 grams fat; 15 grams saturated fat; 69 grams carbohydrates; 46 grams protein; 1 gram fiber.

Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times