Tacos al Pastor

Ingredients

While the original Tacos al Pastor features traditional Mexican spices and cooking techniques, our Indo adaptation incorporates Indonesian spices and flavors. We infuse the marinated pork with a blend of Indonesian spices, such as coriander, turmeric, and lemongrass, giving it a unique and aromatic twist. Additionally, we serve the tacos with a side of sambal, a spicy Indonesian chili sauce, to add an extra kick of heat. We alse have the original recipe for Tacos al pastor, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) pork shoulder, thinly sliced 500g (1.1 lb) pork shoulder, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons kecap manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce) 2 tablespoons kecap manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce)
• 2 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 8 small tortillas 8 small tortillas
• Sambal, for serving Sambal, for serving
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the vegetable oil, soy sauce, kecap manis, lime juice, minced garlic, ground coriander, ground turmeric, ground cumin, and bruised lemongrass.
2. 2.
   Add the thinly sliced pork shoulder to the marinade and mix well to ensure the pork is coated evenly. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight for maximum flavor.
3. 3.
   Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove the pork from the marinade and grill for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and slightly charred. Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes.
4. 4.
   While the pork is resting, warm the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat until soft and pliable.
5. 5.
   To assemble the tacos, place a few slices of grilled pork on each tortilla. Top with finely chopped onion, a drizzle of sambal, and fresh cilantro.
6. 6.
   Serve the Indo-Inspired Tacos al Pastor with additional sambal on the side for those who prefer extra heat.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pork shoulder — For tender and juicy pork, make sure to slice it thinly against the grain.
• Lemongrass — Bruise the lemongrass stalk by lightly pounding it with a rolling pin or the back of a knife to release its aromatic oils.

Tips & Tricks

• If you don't have access to a grill, you can also cook the marinated pork in a skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through.
• Customize your tacos by adding your favorite toppings such as sliced avocado, diced tomatoes, or shredded lettuce.
• For a vegetarian version, you can substitute the pork with grilled tofu or tempeh marinated in the same Indo-inspired marinade.

Serving advice

Serve the Indo-Inspired Tacos al Pastor with a side of steamed rice or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the tacos on a platter, garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve with a vibrant bowl of sambal on the side for a visually appealing presentation.