Cochinita pibil is a traditional Mayan dish from the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, which is known for its flavorful and succulent pork. The name "cochinita pibil" means "little buried pig" in Mayan, and it refers to the traditional method of cooking the pork underground in a pit oven, wrapped in banana leaves. This cooking method infuses the pork with a unique smoky flavor and keeps it incredibly tender. Cochinita pibil can be served in a variety of ways, including tacos, burritos, and empanadas, and it is often accompanied by pickled red onions, avocado slices, and a spicy homemade habanero sauce. With its rich history, vibrant flavors, and versatility, cochinita pibil has become a beloved dish not only in Mexico but also around the world.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
PORK MIMI'S WAY, YUCATAN STYLE: COCHINITA PIBIL
Steps:
- Prepare marinade with the orange juice, vinegar, achiote, garlic, and salt, to taste, and mix thoroughly. Rub the mixture into the meat and marinate at room temperature for 1 hour, or refrigerated, for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
- Line a roaster pan with heavy foil and arrange the marinated pork in it, covering the meat with the marinade. Cover pan with foil tightly and bake for 2 to 3 hours. Check often and turn pieces of meat in their own juices. Roasting times vary according to the toughness of the meat.
- Chop meat into cubes and discard any fatty parts. Serve with a basket of freshly made corn tortillas.
YUCATECAN-STYLE PORK
Steps:
- Put pork in a large bowl and rub with 1 teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons juice.
- Toast peppercorns, cumin, and allspice together, then cool slightly. Transfer to grinder along with annatto seeds and grind to a powder. Transfer to a small bowl.
- Mince garlic and mash to a paste with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt using side of a large heavy knife. Add to ground spices along with oregano and remaining 6 tablespoons juice and stir to make a paste.
- Toss pork with paste to coat well. Add onion and toss to combine.
- Holding both ends of a banana leaf, drag leaf over a burner on moderately high heat slowly until it changes color slightly and becomes shinier, then turn over and toast other side. Toast remaining banana leaves in same manner.
- Line roasting pan with leaves, shinier sides down, by arranging 1 leaf lengthwise and 2 leaves crosswise, letting excess hang over sides. Trim overhang to about 8 inches on all sides.
- Transfer pork mixture to banana leaves, then fold overhang of leaves over pork to enclose completely. Cover pan tightly with foil and chill, at least 6 hours.
- Put oven rack in middle position, then put pan with pork in oven and heat to 400°F (to take chill off pork gently).
- Once oven has reached 400°F, bake until pork is very tender, 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 hours.
- Discard foil and open banana leaves, then serve pork with salsa and tortillas.
COCHINITA PIBIL (MAYAN PORK ROAST)
A cornerstone of the cuisine of the Maya, this is a simple recipe for a moist, spicy pork roast. If you can't banana leaves you can use foil paper and still get very tender meat.To slice the habaneros use a fork and knife because they will irritate your skin if you touch them. Serve the tacos with fresh salsa and avocado and cucumber slices to garnish. Prep time does not include marinating time.
Provided by Mami J
Categories Pork
Time 1h30m
Yield 1 roast, 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- To make the marinade:.
- In a large glass or plastic dish use a fork to dissolve the anatto paste in the orange and lime juice and the vinegar. Add the all-spice.
- Rinse and pat the pork roast dry. Remove and discard any fat lumps. Rub the salt and pepper all over the meat and place in the dish with the marinade. Turn the meat to cover it in the marinade. Let marinate for at least 1 hour, but no more than 6 hours, in the refrigerator, turning occasionally.
- Take the meat out of the refrigerator and preheat the oven to 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, turn on a burner in you stove to low heat. Unfold the banana leaves and toast them very lightly, one by one, directly over the flame, do this using gloves or kitchen thongs, being very careful not to burn the leaves, you only want them to soften a bit.
- Place enough banana leaves to cover the bottom of a roasting pan and place the meat on top. Pour as much of the marinade on the meat as you can and then cover the meat with the rest of the banana leaves, making sure that there are no gaps between the leaves.
- Place the pan in the oven and roast for an hour, or until the meat is well done and very tender. Meanwhile, mix all the ingredients in a small bowl and let marinate as the meat cooks.
- To serve, pull or cut the meat into shreds, divide into portions and let each person make their own tacos, topping them with the sliced onion salsa.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 393.5, Fat 26.8, SaturatedFat 9.3, Cholesterol 112.3, Sodium 105.3, Carbohydrate 3.9, Fiber 0.4, Sugar 2, Protein 32.3
Tips:
- Choose the right pork: Pork shoulder (also known as pork butt) is the best cut of meat for cochinita pibil. It's a tough, fatty cut of meat that becomes incredibly tender when cooked slowly.
- Use achiote paste: Achiote paste is a traditional Mexican spice paste made from annatto seeds. It gives cochinita pibil its characteristic red color and smoky flavor.
- Cook the pork slowly: Cochinita pibil is traditionally cooked in a pit oven, but you can also cook it in a slow cooker or Dutch oven. The key is to cook the pork slowly and gently so that it becomes fall-apart tender.
- Serve with traditional sides: Cochinita pibil is traditionally served with pickled red onions, habanero salsa, and warm corn tortillas. You can also serve it with black beans, rice, or guacamole.
Conclusion:
Cochinita pibil is a delicious and traditional Mexican dish that is perfect for a special occasion. With its tender pork, smoky flavor, and vibrant red color, it is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting dish to try, give cochinita pibil a try. You won't be disappointed!
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