Print Recipe
Yucatan Pork Baked in Banana Leaves: Cochinita Pibil
 
recipe image
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 120 Minutes
Ready In: 150 Minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
1 pound frozen banana leaves
2 (4-ounce) packages achiote paste* (recommended: recado rojo)
6 cloves garlic
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon kosher salt
5 pounds trimmed, boneless pork butt, halved
1 cup water
marinated red onions, recipe follows
habanero salsa, recipe follows
serving suggestion: steamed white rice or fresh, warm tortillas
*can be found at gourmet supermarkets or specialty mexican markets.
Directions:
1. Run the banana leaves under warm water for about 5 minutes to defrost. Line a medium baking dish with the banana leaves.
2. Combine the achiote paste, garlic, vinegar, orange juice, and salt in a blender until smooth. In a large bowl, rub the achiote mixture into the meat. Place the meat in the prepared baking dish. Wrap the meat with banana leaves. Cover container and refrigerate for 24 hours.
3. After meat has marinated, preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
4. Add 1 cup water to the baking dish. Bake the meat until fork tender, about 2 hours.
5. Serve wrapped meat on a bed of steamed white rice with Marinated Red Onions and Habanero Salsa on the side. Alternatively, remove meat from banana leaves and wrap in fresh, warm tortillas with Marinated Red Onions and Habanero Salsa on top.
6. Marinated Red Onions:
7. 2 medium red onions, thinly sliced
8. 3 cups water
9. 1 cup cider vinegar
10. 1 tablespoon kosher salt
11. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.
12. Habanero Salsa:
13. 8 habanero chiles
14. 1/2 cup orange juice
15. 1/4 cup lime juice
16. 1/4 cup lemon juice
17. 2 teaspoons salt
18. In a dry skillet, lightly toast the habanero chiles. Stem, seed, and roughly chop the peppers. Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into a small serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
19. Professional Recipe: This recipe was provided by a chef, restaurant or culinary professional and makes a large quantity. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe in the proportions indicated and therefore cannot make any representation as to the results.
By RecipeOfHealth.com