A Culinary Journey to Mexico: Homemade Tacos Al Pastor

Mexican cuisine is celebrated for its bold and vibrant flavors, and one dish that embodies this is Tacos Al Pastor. These delicious tacos feature marinated and spit-roasted pork, fresh toppings, and a burst of flavors with every bite. In this article, we'll guide you through the steps to create your own Homemade Tacos Al Pastor, allowing you to embark on a culinary journey to Mexico right in your kitchen.

**Ingredients**:

*For the Al Pastor Marinade*:
- 1 pound of pork shoulder, thinly sliced
- 3 dried guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded
- 2 dried ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
- 1/2 cup of chopped pineapple
- 1/4 cup of chopped onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground achiote (annatto)
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons of white vinegar
- 1/4 cup of orange juice
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

*For Tacos*:
- Small corn tortillas
- Chopped white onion
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Sliced radishes
- Lime wedges
- Salsa (salsa verde or salsa roja)

**Instructions**:

**For the Al Pastor Marinade**:

1. In a dry skillet, toast the dried guajillo chiles and ancho chiles over medium heat for a few seconds until they become fragrant. Be careful not to burn them.

2. Soak the toasted chiles in hot water for about 15-20 minutes, or until they become soft.

3. In a blender, combine the soaked chiles, chopped pineapple, chopped onion, garlic, ground cumin, dried oregano, ground achiote, ground cinnamon, salt, black pepper, white vinegar, and orange juice. Blend until you have a smooth paste.

4. Transfer the paste to a bowl and mix in the vegetable oil.

**For Making Tacos Al Pastor**:

1. In a large ziplock bag or a container, place the thinly sliced pork shoulder and pour the Al Pastor marinade over it. Seal the bag or container and marinate the pork in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight.

2. Preheat your grill or a skillet to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated pork onto skewers or place them directly on the grill or skillet.

3. Grill the pork until it's cooked through and slightly charred, about 5-7 minutes on each side.

4. Warm the corn tortillas on the grill for about 30 seconds on each side.

**To Serve**:

1. Serve your Homemade Tacos Al Pastor by placing some grilled pork on a warm corn tortilla.

2. Top the taco with chopped white onion, fresh cilantro leaves, sliced radishes, and a squeeze of lime juice.

3. Add your favorite salsa for an extra kick.

Now, you can embark on a culinary journey to Mexico with your Homemade Tacos Al Pastor. These tacos are a perfect representation of Mexican cuisine and are ideal for experiencing the bold and vibrant flavors of Mexico in your own kitchen. ¡Buen provecho!