Some Like it Hot: Taco al Pastor
Tara A. Spears
For all those that had to leave Mexico early and long for the south of the border cuisine, think tacos. You can treat yourself to a self- isolating fiesta: turn on the mariachi tunes, grab a mirror for dancing. Add cold ceberza and relax while the slow cooker recreates one of Mexico’s favorite meals, taco al pastor. Taco al pastor is an internationally recognized dish that reflects the wide Mexican cuisine in a single bite. This tasty dish features pulled pork or shredded roast beef that has some serious seasoning!
If you’ve ever glimpsed inside a taco truck or peeked into the back of a Mexican bodega kitchen, you might have seen pineapple-topped marinated pork wrapped around a spit, with those fruit juices dripping below and flavoring the meat. This is the stunning al pastor, and its flavors live up to everything you want it to be. In Jaltemba Bay, Nayarit, cooks combine the pork or beef, pineapple, aromatics and spices in a slow cooker, then braise until the meat is juicy, tender and falling apart.
Many cooks believe that by marinating the pork with pineapple, the protein in the pork breaks down resulting in very tender meat. These tacos are generally served on soft tortillas and include cilantro, onions, avacado, pineapple, and salsa. Adding the Chipotles Adobo Sauce brings on a delectable after burn-so Mexicano! 
It’s interesting how this dish that 8 out of 10 Mexicans rate number one came to this country. Pastor means “shepherd,” the Spanish name given to Lebanese merchants who immigrated to Mexico City in the early 1900s, bringing the concept of shawarma/spit roasted meat with them. Instantly the Mexicans substituted pork for the lamb and slapped it onto a tortilla.
The creative Mexican chefs loved the idea and added the local chilies to create al pastor dishes. This ingenious flavor palate features the combined traditional Middle Eastern spices with those indigenous to central Mexico. As the dish spread to other areas in the country more versions appear. In northern Mexico, as in Baja California, it is known as taco de adobada. A similar dish from Puebla with different spices is tacos árabes; variations on seasonings but all center on a slow cooked meat.
Pretend that you’re looking at sand instead of snow and enjoy this delicious, easy to make meal. It’s the perfect dish to celebrate your Mexican themed Party in isolation! The big question is: Are you hombre enough to eat these smoky and spicy tacos?
Ingredients For Beef al Pastor
2-3 Lbs of Beef Chuck Roast fat trimmed
20 oz Can of Crushed Pineapple
1 Cup of Apple Cider Vinegar
2-3 in Chipotles Adobo Sauce
1/2 Onion
1 Tablespoon of Chili Sauce
Salt + Pepper
For Tacos
12-15 Corn Tortillas, Cotija Cheese or feta cheese, Lime Juice, Chunks of pineapple and avacado,
Instructions For Beef seasoning:
In a blender, place the crushed pineapple, apple cider vinegar, chipotle, adobo sauce, onion and chili sauce. Blender until sauce is completely pureed
Place sauce inside a slow cooker, Season the beef with salt and pepper. Cut into 2-3 pieces
Slow cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 6 hours
When meat is tender, shred it using 2 forks and place it inside the tortillas