A member of the hard-working WSi team is headed out tomorrow for a much-needed vacation. And while we all will remain in the office green with envy as she soaks up the rays in Playa Del Carmen, we thought we could at least send her off with a recipe indicative to the land on which she is about to step foot. Enjoy the Poc-Chuc and bring us back something nice! Safe travels!

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Poc-Chuc: Tender Pork topped with Onions

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Poc-Chuc was originally created before there was refrigeration and meats were salted to preserve them. Acidic flavors such as sour orange and vinegar were used to combat the saltiness of the meat. With refrigeration readily available nowadays, salting meat is necessary but the acidic flavors of Poc-Chuc remain. The pork is slow-cooked to keep it moist and tender, and the onions added to it round out the flavors nicely. The meat used to be cooked with hot embers, but modern methods include the use of the oven.

Ingredients:

  • Pork roast

  • 1 1/4 cup sour orange juice (freshly squeezed if possible)

  • 1 tablespoon achiote paste

  • 3 teaspoons salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon whole peppercorns

  • Onion topping- See below

  • Chiltomate sauce- See below

Preparation:

Rinse the roast and pat it dry. Rub the achiote paste over it and place it in an airtight plastic bag. Whisk together 3/4 cup of the juice, salt, and peppercorns and pour over the meat. Seal the bag and marinate overnight.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Place the roast in a covered baking dish and cook it for about 3 hours. Baste the meat with the liquids every 30-45 minutes. Turn up the heat to 400 degrees and cook for another 30 minutes.

Remove meat from the oven and let it sit for about 15 minutes and then slice it into 1/2 inch slices. Drizzle the remaining orange juice over the sliced meat and top with the onions and some Chiltomate sauce. Depending on the size of the roast, it serves 4-6 people.

Onion Topping

  • 6 onions, sliced

  • 1 cup water

  • 1 tablespoon lard or oil

  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander

  • splash of vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon sugar

  • pinch of salt

Add onions and water to a large pan, and cook over medium heat. When water has evaporated and onions are softened, add the lard or oil and continue to cook. Sprinkle in the coriander and add the splash of vinegar and the sugar. Cook for an additional 10 minutes.

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