Walter's Cochinita Pibil

Recipe courtesy Chuck Hughes

• Ready In: 6 hrs 25 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• Recado (Spicy Paste)

• 1  tablespoon ground annatto seed (ground achiote seeds)
• 1  tablespoon  coriander seed
• 1  tablespoon peppercorn
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 3  whole cloves, ground
• 3  garlic cloves, minced
• 2  sprigs fresh oregano, roughly chopped
• 1  habanero pepper, seeded and chopped
• 8  limes, juice of (or bitter oranges, or white wine vinegar)
• 4  pound/ 2 kg bone-in  pork shoulder
• 8  banana leaves, soaked

• Mild Salsa (Red Onion Salsa)

• 2  tablespoons/ 30 ml olive oil
• 1  bunch fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
• 1  habanero pepper, seeded and diced
• 1  red onion, diced
• 1  seville oranges, juice of (or 2 limes)
•  salt & freshly ground black pepper

• Xni Pec Salsa

• 4  tomatoes, seeded and diced
• 3  limes, zest and juice of or 2  seville oranges
• 1  bunch fresh cilantro leaves
• 1  onion, diced
•  salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 4  sections baguette or 4  tortillas

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C).
2. For the recado:
3. Using a food processor, reduce the annatto, coriander seeds, peppercorns, cinnamon, salt, cloves, garlic, oregano and chile to form a paste. Add the juice and pulse until combined.
4. Rub the pork shoulder with some of the recado. Lay half the banana leaves in a roasting pan. Put the pork shoulder on the banana leaves and cover with the remaining leaves. Pour the remaining recado on top. Cover with a lid or aluminum foil and bake in the oven until the meat falls off the bone, about 6 hours.
5. Meanwhile, for the mild salsa:
6. Mix together the olive oil, cilantro, onions and orange juice. Season with salt and pepper. Keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
7. For the spicy salsa:
8. Mix together the tomatoes, lime zest and juice, cilantro, chile and onions. Season with salt and pepper. Keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
9. Serve the pork with baguette sections or tortillas, add a ladle of the sauce and garnish with the salsas.