NOVEMBER 2008
Mexican gastronomy

Every month, discover in this section a timeless classic of Mexican gastronomy, and learn how to recreate at home the thousand flavours of Mexico.

Cochinita Pibíl
A classic from the Yucatan peninsula, inspired by Mayan cuisine. It is a flavourful version of pulled pork, to which you are sure to grow addicted.
Ingredients:
2 pounds pork butt roast with bone
2 tablespoons achiote paste
1/3 cup orange juice
2/3 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
2 habanero peppers, seeded and chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground coriander
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 red onions, sliced into rings

Instructions:
Poke holes all over the pork with a fork. Rub achiote paste all over the pork, and set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together the orange juice, lemon juice, and habanero peppers. Mix in the cumin, paprika, chili powder, coriander, salt and pepper.

Place pork in the mixture, cover, and refrigerate overnight, turning two or three times.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Wrap the pork and marinade in aluminum foil or banana leaves that have been soaked in water for 30 minutes. Place into a casserole dish, and cover.

Bake for about 2 hours, until the meat falls off the bone. The slower you cook it, the better it is. You could also bake it in a 200 degrees F (95 degrees C) oven for 4 or 5 hours, or in a slow cooker without the foil or leaves.

While the pork is cooking, make the sauce. Bring the red wine vinegar to a boil in a small saucepan.

Add onions, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until tender. Pour sauce over pork, and serve with white rice and corn tortillas.

Each person can make tacos or fajitas with the pork, the rice and the sauce.

For this and other Mexican recipes, visit http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cochinita-Pibil/Detail.aspx

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