Al pastor

There’s nothing quite like my family filling the house during the Holidays. We do it all. Cooking, cleaning, more cooking, lots of eating, more cooking, movies, more cooking, Christmas shopping, more cleaning…Life is so fun and full when everyone’s home. At the market the hustle and bustle is SuPeR rewarding. Visiting with all the shoppers, helping them find items not used everyday, the crew is enthusiastic and we always try to have a few treats around. Right now is the sweet spot to catch my breath between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Time to keep it simple at home and work.

So now more than ever I love recipes that pull double duty, at LEAST two meals. Susan River Fire Chief Jim Uruburu is kind of a grillin’ king so when I saw his recipe for Al Pastor, which he used for street tacos one night and pizza the next, I had to get it! Lots of his recipes are trade secrets but this one he agreed to share PLUS he brought me a piece of the pizza AND plenty of the Al Pastor for Rick and I to have street tacos! Have I mentioned I love my job!? I do. Everything about this dish was right. Just right amounts of heat, sweet and savory. You’re gonna love it.

              
3 tbs achiote powder or paste 2 tbs chili powder 1 tbs garlic powder 1 tbs dried oregano 1 tbs cumin 1 tbs salt 1 tbs pepper ¾ cup white vinegar 1 cup pineapple juice
Juice of 3 limes 3-4 lb Pork Tri-Tip sliced thinly (our Meat Dept does this for no charge :)
1 pineapple, skinned and sliced in rounds 6 jalapeno sliced

Combine first 10 ingredients for marinade, reserve some for basting. Marinade pork. Preheat Grill. Layer on a skewer pork alternated with pineapple and jalapeño. Stick skewer through grates so meat rests on grill. Grill low and slow, about 350* for 1 1/2 hours or until internal temp reaches 145*. Baste frequently with reserved marinade.
No pots and pans to clean and dinner is done for a couple of days.
             
I just saw Jim is the cover photo of Trakker Inc. A company that makes a portable hydrant for ‘farm to fire’ water! They know a LoCaL Hometown Hero when they see one!
               

Thanks Jimmy!