Al Pastor Margarita Food

CLASSIC MARGARITA

Steps:

• For the rim: Moisten the rim of the glasses with lime wedges and dip in the salt.
• For the margarita: Combine the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur and agave syrup in a large pitcher. Stir vigorously to combine. Pour over ice in the salt-rimmed glasses, garnish with a slice of lime and serve immediately.

BURGERS AL PASTOR

Steps:

• Soak the chiles in boiling water until softened, about 10 minutes. Drain and puree with the marjoram, oregano, garlic, one-quarter of the chopped onion and the pineapple juice in a blender until smooth. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Blend to combine.
• Combine the pork and the marinade with a fork in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the broiler. Divide the pork mixture into 6 equal portions. Shape each portion into a 3/4-inch-thick patty. Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet; place the patties on the baking sheet and broil until slightly charred and cooked through, about 9 minutes per side. Transfer the burgers to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm. Let rest about 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, lightly oil another rimmed baking sheet, add the pineapple and broil until slightly charred, about 2 minutes per side.
• Spread about 1 teaspoon mayonnaise on the cut sides of each bun and broil them until the mayonnaise has melted, about 2 minutes. Place the burgers on the bottom halves of the buns. Top with the pineapple, cilantro, the remaining chopped onion and the bun tops.

PORK VOLCáNES AL PASTOR

Steps:

• Place pork shoulder on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet and freeze, uncovered, until almost completely frozen, about 2 hours. Using a very sharp knife, thinly slice pork (shoot for about ⅛" thick). Transfer to a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, bring guajillo and morita chiles and 1 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Cover, remove from heat, and let sit 30 minutes to allow chiles to soften.
• Transfer chiles and soaking liquid to a blender. Add garlic, orange juice, lime juice, achiote paste, and salt; purée until smooth. Pour over pork and toss to coat. Cover and let sit at room temperature 2 hours, or chill up to 6 hours.
• Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 350°F. Evenly space out tortillas on a baking sheet and bake until lightly toasted and very crisp (edges will curl and pucker), 35-45 minutes.
• Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet over high until smoking. Spread about one-fourth of pork across skillet in a single layer; cook, undisturbed, until browned underneath, about 2 minutes. Turn over and cook, undisturbed, until browned underneath and cooked through, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a platter and wipe out skillet. Working in 3 batches, repeat process with remaining pork and 3 Tbsp. oil.
• Increase oven temperature to 500°F. Divide pork among tostadas and top with quesillo; bake until cheese is melted, 8-10 minutes. Top with onion and cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

AL PASTOR MARINATED PORK

Steps:

• Drain the guajillos, add them to a blender and blend with 4 to 6 ounces water. Strain the puree. Add the guajillo puree, garlic, apple juice, orange juice, vinegar, onion, achiote, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, oregano, thyme, bay leaves, 1 ounce salt and 1/2 ounce pepper to the blender and blend to make the marinade.
• Combine the marinade and the pork in a large resealable plastic bag and marinate overnight in the refrigerator. Dice the marinated pork into small pieces.
• Heat a large pan over medium-high heat with a squirt of oil. Add the pork and bacon and cook. When the meat is cooked through, add some diced pineapple if using.