Pork Kebabs Al Pastor

Pork al pastor is a very popular taco filling in Mexico. It is usually cooked in a large piece on a vertical rotisserie and sliced off to order. That way the outside bits are golden and crisp and the inside is tender and juicy.

Ingredients -

3 dried chiles de árbol (wiped clean)
1 cup fresh pineapple (chopped)
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
2 Tablespoon vegetable oil
2 large garlic cloves (smashed)
1 Teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 Teaspoon ground cumin
1 lb tomatoes (halved)
1 small white onion (quartered)
3 Tablespoons water
1/4 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
1 lime (cut into wedges)
2 radishes (sliced)

Equipment:
12 (12-inch) wooden skewers (soaked in water 30 minutes)

Garnish:
Fresh Cilantro, Lime Wedges and Thinly Sliced Radishes

Preparation:

1. Prepare barbecue on medium-high heat.

2. Finely grind pepitas in processor and leave in processor.

3. Grill tomatillos and poblano chile until tomatillos are slightly charred and soft and chile is charred all over, turning occasionally, 12 to 15 minutes.

4. Add tomatillos to processor. Peel, seed, and coarsely chop chile; add to processor.

5. Add garlic; process soup to coarse puree.

6. Transfer to large bowl.

7. Stir in vegetable broth.

8. Season soup with salt and pepper.

9. Cover; chill until cold, about 3 hours.

10. Mix in green onion and all remaining ingredients.

11. Divide soup among bowls.

Cooking Tip

Pork Chops

Cooking time really is based on the thickness of the pork. Pork chops that are cut thinly can be pounded and then sautéed for 5-7 minutes until finished. Pork chops with a thick cut (up to 1-1/2) can take 8 to 9 hours in the crock pot. Roasts usually need to cook for many hours. Pork tenderloin can be thinly sliced and cooked in seconds in a stir-fry.

Party Planning Tip

Dinner Party Planning Secrets

1) Plan ahead!
2) Do all you can ahead!
3) Keep it simple enough to manage.