I have been getting a serious craving for Tacos al Pastor, and it
looks like my trips to Mexico keep getting postponed, so I call upon the
wisdom of the NewsGroup. Can someone help me make some decent Tacos al
Pastor at home, without the Trompo that they are normally made on?

I know that we should start with very thinly sliced pork meat, but
from there, I don't really have a clue. Thanks for any tips, ideas, etc.
that you are willing to post!

--Douglas

http://www.batista.org/pastor.html


"Douglas S. Ladden" > wrote in message
. 224.154...
> I have been getting a serious craving for Tacos al Pastor, and it
> looks like my trips to Mexico keep getting postponed, so I call upon
the
> wisdom of the NewsGroup. Can someone help me make some decent Tacos
al
> Pastor at home, without the Trompo that they are normally made on?
>
> I know that we should start with very thinly sliced pork meat, but
> from there, I don't really have a clue. Thanks for any tips, ideas,
etc.
> that you are willing to post!
>
> --Douglas

Douglas S. Ladden > asked in message
. 224.154...
> I have been getting a serious craving for Tacos al Pastor, and it
> looks like my trips to Mexico keep getting postponed, so I call
> upon the wisdom of the NewsGroup. Can someone help me
> make some decent Tacos al Pastor at home, without the Trompo
> that they are normally made on?

"Trompo?" I don't recognize that word.

> I know that we should start with very thinly sliced pork meat,
> but from there, I don't really have a clue. Thanks for any tips,
> ideas, etc. that you are willing to post!

The Al Pastor (burrito and taco) from my favorite place is chopped pork not
sliced, fried crunchy with red chili powders, and then served in a small
corn tortilla with cilantro, and onions. (The burrito has a lot more
schtuff -- rice, cheese, jalapenos, beans -- but that's strictly due to the
tortilla being significantly larger.) Sometimes I think it's twice cooked
(baked first) but I can never get them to release the recipe; they do enjoy
me trying to weedle it out of them, though.

Here's one from:
http://www.mexgrocer.com/531-tacos-al-pastor.html

Tacos al Pastor
Courtesy of Ricardo Batista

Recipe Ingredients:
10 Chiles Pasilla
10 Chiles Guajillo
1/2 Garlic bulb
1/4 tsp. Cumin
1/4 Lt White Vinegar
5 Cloves
2 lbs. Thin pork meat
1 Onion
1 Beer
2 Limes
Salt to taste
Pineapple (fresh or canned)
Fresh Cilantro (coriander)

Recipe Instructions:
Cooking: In a taqueria they would roast the "top" of meat with pineapple
on top of it so that the juice gives the meat some of its flavor. The meat
would be rotated constantly as the cook cuts very small slices of meat and
pineapple to be served in a taco. Chop the cilantro and onion. Without a
rostisserie, our only choice is to cut the pork in small bits so that it can
be eaten easily in a taco. Use a frying pan and cook the meat with small pie
ces of pineapple making sure the pork is fully cooked and just about to burn
in some cases (well roasted). Cut the limes in quarters. Serve the tacos
with chopped cilantro, onion,and the limes.
Enjoy this delicious tacos al pastor Mexican recipe!

The Ranger

"William Jennings" > on 02 Feb 2004 suggested:

> "Douglas S. Ladden" > wrote in message
> . 224.154...
>> I have been getting a serious craving for Tacos al Pastor, and it
>> looks like my trips to Mexico keep getting postponed, so I call upon
> the
>> wisdom of the NewsGroup. Can someone help me make some decent Tacos
> al
>> Pastor at home, without the Trompo that they are normally made on?
>>
>> I know that we should start with very thinly sliced pork meat, but
>> from there, I don't really have a clue. Thanks for any tips, ideas,
> etc.
>> that you are willing to post!
>>
>> --Douglas
>
> http://www.batista.org/pastor.html
>
Thanks! I'd been to that site before, but lost track of it! I'm
gonna try it.

--Douglas

"The Ranger" > on 02 Feb 2004 suggested:

> Douglas S. Ladden > asked in message
> . 224.154...
>> I have been getting a serious craving for Tacos al Pastor, and it
>> looks like my trips to Mexico keep getting postponed, so I call
>> upon the wisdom of the NewsGroup. Can someone help me
>> make some decent Tacos al Pastor at home, without the Trompo
>> that they are normally made on?
>
> "Trompo?" I don't recognize that word.
>
The "trompo" is the vertical rotisserie that is mentioned in the
directions you provided below.

>> I know that we should start with very thinly sliced pork meat,
>> but from there, I don't really have a clue. Thanks for any tips,
>> ideas, etc. that you are willing to post!
>
> The Al Pastor (burrito and taco) from my favorite place is chopped
> pork not sliced, fried crunchy with red chili powders, and then
> served in a small corn tortilla with cilantro, and onions.

Okay, this is very different than what I consider a "Taco al
Pastor", but not unlike what they serve here in the bay area. Not
exactly what I am looking for. The next time I am in Mexico at my
favorite place for Tacos al Pastor, I am going to do everything I can to
get his recipe. They are the best I've ever had, to my taste, anyway.

> Here's one from:
> http://www.mexgrocer.com/531-tacos-al-pastor.html
>
This recipe seems the same as the one in the other post.

--Douglas

Douglas S. Ladden > wrote in message
. 224.154...
[Snip-O'-Matic employed on text]
> Okay, this is very different than what I consider a "Taco
> al Pastor", but not unlike what they serve here in the bay
> area.
[snip]

If you get the chance, visit Mountain View's La Bamba Tacqueria on Old
Middlefield and Rengsdorf. Awesome al pastor! (Good value, too.)

> > Here's one from:
> > http://www.mexgrocer.com/531-tacos-al-pastor.html
> >
> This recipe seems the same as the one in the other post.

It probably is the same; I wouldn't think that there isn't too much variety
in the ingredients or preparation. Sort of like "chicken soup;" there are
only so many ways to make it. <G>

The Ranger

"The Ranger" > on 02 Feb 2004 suggested:

> Douglas S. Ladden > wrote in message
> . 224.154...
> [Snip-O'-Matic employed on text]
>> Okay, this is very different than what I consider a "Taco
>> al Pastor", but not unlike what they serve here in the bay
>> area.
> [snip]
>
> If you get the chance, visit Mountain View's La Bamba Tacqueria on
> Old Middlefield and Rengsdorf. Awesome al pastor! (Good value, too.)
>
I'm pretty dang sure I was there two weeks ago, and I don't even
remember seeing "Al Pastor" on their offerings. Dang! Had I known! It
was my first time there, and I had the Carnitas Burrito. It was
alright, but nothing I'd write home about. You are, however, not the
first person to rave about this place. Also, I'll give it another
chance, because the guy who took me there (who raves about it) said that
the cook in the back was not the usual cook.

On the subject of Carnitas, the best Carnitas I've had anywhere
were at a restaurant called "La Quinta" up in San Francisco, on Mission
near 21st, I think. Fresh, handmade tortillas really top off the
wonderful dining experience. And at least the last time I was there,
the value was the best!

On the subject of Bay Area Mexican Restaurants, I'd love to hear
any other recommendations you have. One of my favorites, especially for
Mole, is La Milpa, in Milpitas, off of Milpitas Blvd., near OSH.

>> > Here's one from:
>> > http://www.mexgrocer.com/531-tacos-al-pastor.html
>> >
>> This recipe seems the same as the one in the other post.
>
> It probably is the same; I wouldn't think that there isn't too much
> variety in the ingredients or preparation. Sort of like "chicken
> soup;" there are only so many ways to make it. <G>
>
Actually, that's so not true in this context. In Mexico, at
least, every vendor guards, as though it were a state secret, their
particular "al pastor" recipe. Apparently this trade secret is the
reason many people go to a particular vendor over another, because of
their unique recipe. And like I said before, there is one particular
guy in Mexico who makes it simply divine! I want HIS recipe. *grin*

--Douglas

"Douglas S. Ladden" > wrote in message
. 224.154...
> I have been getting a serious craving for Tacos al Pastor, and it
> looks like my trips to Mexico keep getting postponed, so I call upon the
> wisdom of the NewsGroup. Can someone help me make some decent Tacos al
> Pastor at home, without the Trompo that they are normally made on?
>
> I know that we should start with very thinly sliced pork meat, but
> from there, I don't really have a clue. Thanks for any tips, ideas, etc.
> that you are willing to post!
>
This is made very much in like Gyros meat.
The pork is ground super fine, mixed with spices
and packed onto a shaft (Trompo) and roasted a layer at a time.
It is impossible to re-create without extensive preparation.
The important spices are : garlic
achiote paste
cider vinegar
citrus peel
dried oregano
guajillo chile powder
cumin

The important part of serving is the grilled pineapple,
marinated RED onions and chopped cilantro.

El comer feliz.

Douglas S. Ladden > wrote in message
. 224.154...
> > If you get the chance, visit Mountain View's La Bamba
> > Tacqueria on Old Middlefield and Rengsdorf. Awesome
> > al pastor! (Good value, too.)
> >
> I'm pretty dang sure I was there two weeks ago, and I don't
> even remember seeing "Al Pastor" on their offerings. Dang!
> Had I known! It was my first time there, and I had the
> Carnitas Burrito. It was alright, but nothing I'd write home
> about.

Yeah, the carnitas burrito isn't that great... The carne asada and al pastor
are excellent!

> You are, however, not the first person to rave about this place. [..]
> On the subject of Bay Area Mexican Restaurants, I'd love to hear
> any other recommendations you have.

Sub to ba.food. And then google for the infamous Burrito Wars thread... The
Transgressions of the South Against the North had nothing on that! <G>

> >> > Here's one from:
> >> > http://www.mexgrocer.com/531-tacos-al-pastor.html
> >> >
> >> This recipe seems the same as the one in the other post.
> >>
> > It probably is the same; I wouldn't think that there isn't
> > too much variety in the ingredients or preparation. Sort
> > of like "chicken soup;" there are only so many ways to
> > make it. <G>
> >
> Actually, that's so not true in this context. In Mexico, at
> least, every vendor guards, as though it were a state secret,
> their particular "al pastor" recipe. Apparently this trade
> secret is the reason many people go to a particular vendor
> over another, because of their unique recipe. And like I
> said before, there is one particular guy in Mexico who
> makes it simply divine! I want HIS recipe. *grin*

Hmmm. The parts of Mexico I've visited were less concerned about guarding
their Mayan Secrets and Aztec Gold and more concerned with my always-open
wallet. Thank the gahds my guides were natives; some of those vendors
wouldn't shut up when we'd start talking to them! <G>

The Ranger

I posted an authentic recipe for you on our message board and website...
check it out

www.chefolder.com/wwwboard.html



--
Bob Older
Creative Travel Inc.
Bus tours, cruises, vacation packages & More
www.creativetravelinc.com

We are proud supporters of Goodwill Industries of Delaware and Delaware
County Inc.
Learn more about what they do - You may be surprised.
Goodwill - Your Donations go right to work.
http://www.goodwillde.org/index.html

Also, for food lovers, check out
www.chefolder.com

"Douglas S. Ladden" > wrote in message
. 224.154...
> I have been getting a serious craving for Tacos al Pastor, and it
> looks like my trips to Mexico keep getting postponed, so I call upon the
> wisdom of the NewsGroup. Can someone help me make some decent Tacos al
> Pastor at home, without the Trompo that they are normally made on?
>
> I know that we should start with very thinly sliced pork meat, but
> from there, I don't really have a clue. Thanks for any tips, ideas, etc.
> that you are willing to post!
>
> --Douglas

You got cute with the "drink the beer" part, but you never got around to
actually cooking the pork.

"chefolder.com" > wrote in message
...
> I posted an authentic recipe for you on our message board and website...
> check it out
>
> www.chefolder.com/wwwboard.html
>
>
>
> --
> Bob Older
> Creative Travel Inc.
> Bus tours, cruises, vacation packages & More
> www.creativetravelinc.com
>
> We are proud supporters of Goodwill Industries of Delaware and Delaware
> County Inc.
> Learn more about what they do - You may be surprised.
> Goodwill - Your Donations go right to work.
> http://www.goodwillde.org/index.html
>
> Also, for food lovers, check out
> www.chefolder.com
>
> "Douglas S. Ladden" > wrote in message
> . 224.154...
> > I have been getting a serious craving for Tacos al Pastor, and it
> > looks like my trips to Mexico keep getting postponed, so I call upon the
> > wisdom of the NewsGroup. Can someone help me make some decent Tacos al
> > Pastor at home, without the Trompo that they are normally made on?
> >
> > I know that we should start with very thinly sliced pork meat, but
> > from there, I don't really have a clue. Thanks for any tips, ideas,
etc.
> > that you are willing to post!
> >
> > --Douglas
>
>

Fixed

www.chefolder.com/wwwboard.html



--
Bob Older
Creative Travel Inc.
Bus tours, cruises, vacation packages & More
www.creativetravelinc.com

We are proud supporters of Goodwill Industries of Delaware and Delaware
County Inc.
Learn more about what they do - You may be surprised.
Goodwill - Your Donations go right to work.
http://www.goodwillde.org/index.html

Also, for food lovers, check out
www.chefolder.com

"D.Currie" > wrote in message
...
> You got cute with the "drink the beer" part, but you never got around to
> actually cooking the pork.
>
> "chefolder.com" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I posted an authentic recipe for you on our message board and website...
> > check it out
> >
> > www.chefolder.com/wwwboard.html
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Bob Older
> > Creative Travel Inc.
> > Bus tours, cruises, vacation packages & More
> > www.creativetravelinc.com
> >
> > We are proud supporters of Goodwill Industries of Delaware and Delaware
> > County Inc.
> > Learn more about what they do - You may be surprised.
> > Goodwill - Your Donations go right to work.
> > http://www.goodwillde.org/index.html
> >
> > Also, for food lovers, check out
> > www.chefolder.com
> >
> > "Douglas S. Ladden" > wrote in message
> > . 224.154...
> > > I have been getting a serious craving for Tacos al Pastor, and it
> > > looks like my trips to Mexico keep getting postponed, so I call upon
the
> > > wisdom of the NewsGroup. Can someone help me make some decent Tacos
al
> > > Pastor at home, without the Trompo that they are normally made on?
> > >
> > > I know that we should start with very thinly sliced pork meat, but
> > > from there, I don't really have a clue. Thanks for any tips, ideas,
> etc.
> > > that you are willing to post!
> > >
> > > --Douglas
> >
> >
>
>