Kat's Cochinita Pibil (Pork Cooked in a Pit)
Achiote rub:
2 Tbsps. achiote seeds or 3 Tbsps. achiote paste
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
1/2 tsp. dried Mexican oregano
12 whole black peppercorns
4 whole allspice
8 garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 tsp. paprika
1 Tbsp. sea salt
4 lbs. pork shoulder or butt, trimmed of tendons and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 Tbsps. safflower oil
4 large tomatoes, sliced
2 medium white onions, sliced
2 Tbsps. reserved Achiote Rub (see below)
1 large banana leaf
Cebollas Rojas en Escabeche (see separate recipe)
Cooked white rice
Prepare the Achiote Rub: Mix the achiote seeds with the orange juice and
vinegar and soak 1 hour to soften them. Using a molcajete, or mortar and pestle,
crush the achiote seeds with a little of the soaking liquid. Transfer the seeds
and soaking liquid to a blender and add the remaining rub ingredients; blend to
a paste. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the paste for cooking with the tomatoes.
Rub the pork cubes with the Achiote Rub and set aside.
Heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add tomatoes, onions, and the
reserved 2 tablespoons of Achiote Rub. Fry for about 3 minutes and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Have a large, heavy Dutch oven ready. Using
tongs, carefully sear the banana leaf over an open flame until flexible. Line
the Dutch oven with the banana leaf and arrange the pork cubes on the leaf.
Cover the pork with the tomato mixture, folding the banana leaf over the top.
Cover and cook in preheated oven for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, basting occasionally with
juices from the bottom of the pot. Remove from the oven and transfer to a
serving platter. Garnish with Cebollas Rojas en Escabeche and serve with rice.
Serves 6.
NOTE: If using prepared achiote paste instead of achiote seeds, skip the
soaking and crushing step. Simply mash the paste with the orange juice and
vinegar and then transfer the mixture to a blender.
If desired, substitute 4 pounds chicken pieces for the pork. Brown in a
skillet with a little oil. Proceed as directed.