Achiote Annatto Paste Food

ACHIOTE PASTE

Steps:

• Combine the annatto seeds, cumin seeds, oregano, allspice berries, and salt in a spice mill or coffee grinder. Grind to a powder-like consistency. In a small bowl, mix the powder with the garlic and lime juice. Store in an airtight container, in the refrigerator.
• Use for Cochinita Pibil or any grilled seafood.

ACHIOTE PASTE

Steps:

• With a spice grinder, grind the annatto seeds, cumin seeds, peppercorns, allspice berries, and cloves to a fine powder.
• In a blender or food processor, mix the ground spices, habanero peppers, orange juice, vinegar, garlic, and salt. Blend until smooth. Mix in the lemon juice and tequila.

ACHIOTE PASTE

Steps:

• Put all ingredients into a spice grinder, and grind until you have a fine powder.
• Take the powder and put it into a bowl and add teaspoons of water at a time until you get a thick paste which binds together, in a putty like consistency.
• Separate into Tablespoon size portions and freeze individually.
• When you want to use it, mix the TB size portion with 10 cloves of garlic crushed, and 4 TB Seville orange juice and marinade pork or chicken overnight.
• Some might say to add tequila, but that is an Americanization of this Yucatecan specialty.
• *NOTE* You can find them at most Mexican grocers, and maybe even at your Lucky's or Safeway.
• Annato seeds are very, very hard, and are difficult to grind with a mortar and pestle, use the grinder or it won't make a paste.
• They DO, and WILL stain your grinder, and anything you happen to spill it on, be careful.
• You can double, or multiply this recipe as you wish, and I usually make enough for a year's worth.
• About 4x this recipe.
• It freezes very well, and will last the year in the freezer no problem.

ROAST TURKEY RUBBED WITH ACHIOTE-CHIPOTLE BUTTER

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees. For the butter mixture, place chipotles and garlic in the food processor; process to a paste. Add the achiote paste, thyme, sage and orange zest; process until combined. Add the butter gradually, pulsing until smooth.
• Rub the bird inside and out with the salt; rub with the butter mixture, working some of the butter between the skin and the breast as well. Place the garlic, onions, orange halves, carrot, celery, thyme, sage and bay leaves inside the turkey cavity. Tie the turkey legs together with butcher's twine.
• Place the bird on a rack in a large roasting pan. Pour enough of the broth into the pan to cover the bottom of the pan by about ½ inch.
• Roast 30 minutes; reduce heat to 350 degrees. Cook, basting the bird with broth every 30 minutes, adding more broth to the pan as needed. Cook until a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165 degrees, about 2½ hours. Transfer turkey to a cutting board; set aside, loosely covered with foil, 30 minutes.
• For the gravy, skim off the fat from the pan drippings; pour fat into a large skillet. Reserve pan drippings in the roasting pan. Heat the fat over medium heat; slowly whisk in flour, whisking until mixture begins to brown and thicken, about 10 minutes. Slowly whisk in all but { cup of the remaining broth.
• Heat mixture to a simmer over medium heat; slowly whisk this mixture into the reserved drippings in the roasting pan; heat. (If the gravy is too thick, add the reserved broth until you reach the desired consistency.) Carve turkey; serve with gravy.
• Note: Achiote paste, made from annatto seeds, is available in Latin American markets.

ACHIOTE (ANNATTO) PASTE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Grind the annatto, coriander seeds, oregano, cumin seeds, peppercorns, and cloves in a spice mill or with a mortar and pestle.
• Place the ground spices with the salt, garlic, and bitter orange juice in a blender and process until it is smooth.
• Store your achiote paste in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use as instructed in your recipe.