Al pastor, on sticks!

[Brett-EDH]

What else would you cook in California on Independence Day?

Wasn’t in the mood for burgers and dogs. Just did ribs, salmon poke, pollo asada and shrimp in lobster sauce.

A taco is about American as you can get these days with Mexican food being everywhere.

So, here’s to some Al Pastor but with a twist.

I cut the butt into 3”x3” chunks and then scored the chunks in crosshatch pattern all over.

The goal is to get deeper marinade penetration and to develop more craggily bits and bark as this cooks.

And what better way to have this self baste but to cook it on sticks over coals and oak?

So here’s to trying something new. Hopefully it all works out. Tacos for July 4th. There’s a first time for everything.





Marinate is 5 hours in the fridge. Dinner around 6p, I think.

 

[Timothy F. Lewis]

I find no fault in your thinking with this cook! I’m getting hungry!

 

[Darryl - swazies]

Patiently waiting, you are so many hours behind.
You know how many pictures I am expecting!!!!

 

[Darryl - swazies]

No rotisserie????
Your ideas make me re think my pastor cooks and using the rotisserie with slices of pineapple and maybe onions sounds like it would also do a good job......

 

[Brett-EDH]

No rotisserie????
Your ideas make me re think my pastor cooks and using the rotisserie with slices of pineapple and maybe onions sounds like it would also do a good job......

Don’t have one for the S6. I agree that a roto would be excellent but it won’t give enough surface area char. This butt I’m doing is in smaller chunks for more flavor and texture.

Traditional Al Pastor is done on that rotating Shawarma machine and you’re cutting off the done, edge parts, in an ongoing cook.

The goal is to generate enough flavor and then chop and slice the chunks for get that OG flavor with less work. Engineered laziness.

 

[Darryl - swazies]

I used something like this when I cooked last....the middle was my concern, no tasty crispy bits...

 

[Brett-EDH]

I used something like this when I cooked last....the middle was my concern, no tasty crispy bits...

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exactly. this ^^ tool doesn't achieve the objective, to me. i am hopeful i have a solution here with my scoring, swording and cooking over direct coals/oak to develop the nose and char I seek.

 

[Bruno]

I did some on the kettle rotisserie a while back, man did I make a huge mess!!
Tacos were amazing though.
Can’t wait to see yours!!

 

[JohnTak]

I am excited to see the results. I have been waiting to see an easier version of Al Pastor.

 

[Brett-EDH]

View attachment 74050View attachment 74051I did some on the kettle rotisserie a while back, man did I make a huge mess!!
Tacos were amazing though.
Can’t wait to see yours!!

what was the messy part? the marinade getting all over the place as you skewered and then roto'd the meat?

i think i have 8-10 chunks so i should be able to do this on 2-3 swords, 1" diameter ones.

i don't have fresh pineapple. i might have to check the freezer for some frozen or the pantry for chunks.

 

[Tim Campbell]

"Wasn’t in the mood for burgers and dogs. Just did ribs, salmon poke, pollo asada and shrimp in lobster sauce."

Lmao. Great freaking cook.

 

[Brett-EDH]

Here we go. Just finished a business meeting. Yeah, I worked today.

Leftovers from the rib cook:





Did a relight and added some new KPro





First flip



Get that pineapple going!

 

[Brett-EDH]

Charring up nicely.



These are done

 

[Bruno]

That’s going to be fantastic.

 

[Brett-EDH]

We’re done. Deliciously good.















Recipe here:

Mexican-style Pork Tacos (Tacos Al Pastor) Recipe by Tasty

Maybe it's Taco Tuesday, or you're just in the mood for tacos because, honestly, who can resist a good taco? But not just any taco will do. You crave the authentic experience; we're here to turn that craving into reality. Our Tacos Al Pastor start with marinating juicy pork shoulder in a blend...

tasty.co

The beer is excellent! Total Wine carries this, I believe.

 

[JohnTak]

We’re done. Deliciously good.

View attachment 74074

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View attachment 74078

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Recipe here:

Mexican-style Pork Tacos (Tacos Al Pastor) Recipe by Tasty

Maybe it's Taco Tuesday, or you're just in the mood for tacos because, honestly, who can resist a good taco? But not just any taco will do. You crave the authentic experience; we're here to turn that craving into reality. Our Tacos Al Pastor start with marinating juicy pork shoulder in a blend...

tasty.co

The beer is excellent! Total Wine carries this, I believe.

Looks amazing!

 

[Brett-EDH]

 

[Clay Neubauer]

Man, those look good. This might have to go in the mix for when we have good grilling weather and ask "what haven't we had lately?" Just an idea to add- mango might be worth a try done this way too. I like pineapple just fine, but mango over charcoal undergoes a change of flavor depth that is more complex and goes fantastically with pork too.

 

[Timothy F. Lewis]

Muy bueno! I want four please. I’ve got one of those vertical things on my wish list but, now I’m not so sure I need it,

 

[Darryl - swazies]

Looks great.....mega filled tacos again.....lol, hard to get those in the feeding hole.
All the right stuff, makes me think about how I can do better next time.
Did you leave your kettle lid open for the whole cook?