Tacos al Pastor

It is sort of funny how my mind and/or my brain works.  Things that used to set me on fire are no longer important.  The things that still gets my attention these days are ALL things Swedish (no change there) and recipes.

In last weekends edition of "The Free Lance," a local Hollister publication, I found an article about Tacos al Pastor.  My David tells me it is Marce's favorite!  Earlier in the day, there was a piece posted  on facebook by Anissa Helou, whom I have been introduced to, via David Lebovitz,  regarding the influence and the history of how the flavors of the Middle East ended up in Mexico.  The Lebanese immigrants brought this particular method of skewered lamb on a spit similar to the Turkish kabob or Greek gyros to this side of the big water.  It seems to me, with geographical  food influences like that, we should ALL learn to get along!

Most interesting reading, let me I assure you.
In the local paper Mitch Mariani refers to a recipe in the tried and true teachings of Mexican cuisine  guru and expert, Rich Bayless.

Mitch tweaked the recipe some, then I tweaked it even more...... just let me say, it was for me a sheer delight.  A new experience!
Finding the achiote paste was an adventure in itself!
The aztecs used the achiote seed to make a  face and body paint for ceremonial use I was told. Wonder what they sacrificed???  Oh, I have seen too many movies;-)
Marinating thinly sliced meat,  chicken or fish in a mix of achiote paste is another use of the seed.
Adding chipotle chiles,  garlic, olive oil, and pineapple juice ....... then grilling the slices of meat, in this case thinly sliced pork loin,

along with slices of onion tossed in a drizzle of olive oil,

and slices of pineapple...... then dice it, slice it and place atop a warm corn tortilla........  well, delich!

 I, the swede, who not so long ago knew nothing about tortillas, pulled pork, chipotle peppers, or achiote "anything"... how grateful am I to have learned ALL this!   To have savored such a treat!

After the delectable, heavenly tasting, loaded tacos..... a  long evening walk was in order.

Sun setting on some satisfied well fed people and their dog.