Why It Works

You know those actors who seem to spend their entire careers in supporting roles, yet manage to steal every scene they’re in? I think about that every time I get a really great al pastor taco. Sure, the crisp-edged marinated pork is the star, but an al pastor taco would be nothing without that sweet sliver of roasted pineapple. I always want more of it. I don’t cast movies, but heck, I am the master of my own taco, and if I want to graduate the pineapple from supporting role to star and take that pork back down to bit player, I’ve got the power to do it.

• Reversing the ratio of pork to pineapple in al pastor tacos creates a new, but familiar, flavor profile.
• Rubbing the pineapple with a spicy adobo marinade gives it a flavor that straddles sweet and savory.

Read the whole story.

Ingredients

For the Adobo Marinade

• 6 whole dried ancho chilies, stems and seeds removed
• 2 whole chipotle peppers, canned in adobo
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 medium cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon (2g) oregano, preferably Mexican
• 1 tablespoon (6g) whole cumin seed, toasted and ground
• 1 teaspoon (2g) whole coriander seed, toasted and ground
• Small pinch ground cloves
• 2 tablespoons (25g) dark brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons (45ml) cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) Asian fish sauce
• Kosher salt

For the Pineapple

• 1 pineapple, skin and core removed (about 2 1/2 pounds; 1.15kg pineapple meat)
• 8 ounces (225g) sliced bacon

For Serving

• 40 corn tortillas, heated and kept warm
• Charred Salsa Verde
• Crumbled cotija cheese
• Thinly sliced red or green jalapeño or serrano chilies
• Roughly chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Instructions

1. For the Adobo Marinade: Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place dried ancho chilies on a microwave-safe plate and microwave until pliable and toasty-smelling, 10 to 20 seconds. Transfer to the jar of a blender and add chipotle peppers, olive oil, garlic, oregano, cumin seed, coriander seed, cloves, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, and fish sauce. Blend until a smooth sauce has formed, about 1 minute. Season to taste with salt. Set aside.
2. For the Pineapple: Rub pineapple on all sides with half of the marinade and arrange on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Drape pineapple with bacon slices. Transfer to oven and roast until pineapple is tender and deepens in color and bacon is crisp, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
3. To Serve: Remove bacon and cut into 2-inch pieces. Slice pineapple into 1/4- to 1/2-inch slices. Serve pineapple and bacon tucked into double-stacked corn tortillas topped with remaining marinade, salsa verde, cotija, fresh chilies, and cilantro.

Source: J. Kenji LópezAlt of Serious Eats