Mark Bittmans Pernil Cuban Roast Pork Recipes

CUBAN ROASTED PORK LEG: PERNIL

Steps:

• Place the garlic cloves on a cutting board. Slice the cloves in half lengthwise and then smash with the side of a chef's knife. Sprinkle the salt over the garlic and chop and smear the garlic against the cutting board until it makes a paste. (This can also be done using a mortar pestle; smash the garlic halves before placing them in the mortar.) Add the oregano, chop it into the garlic paste and mix together. Put the garlic paste in a large bowl. Add the Adobo, Mojo, the orange and lime juices. Mix well to combine.
• Place the pork in a roasting pan and using a sharp knife, score the surface of the meat in a crosshatch pattern. Pour the marinade over the pork, being sure it gets into the incisions and penetrates the meat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or up to 1 day in the refrigerator, covered and turning it once or twice.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Uncover the pork and allow the meat to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
• Roast the pork for 30 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. and continue to roast until the meat is falling apart and an instant-read thermometer reaches 160 degrees F when inserted into the thickest part of the pork. Baste with the marinade every 30 minutes. Total roasting time will be approximately 5 to 5 1/2 hours.
• Remove from oven and let it stand at room temperature 20 to 30 minutes, covered loosely with a foil, before cutting it in slices.
• Note: This recipe for adobo is a staple seasoning for many of my Latin recipes. You can make a large batch, store it in an airtight container and use it as a flavor enhancer in your favorite dishes.
• Combine all measured ingredients in a small glass jar with an airtight lid and shake to blend. Store in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks.

PERNIL

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300 degrees. Score meat's skin with a sharp knife, making a cross-hatch pattern. Pulse garlic, onion, oregano, cumin, chili, salt and pepper together in a food processor, adding oil in a drizzle and scraping down sides as necessary, until mixture is pasty. (Alternatively, mash ingredients in a mortar and pestle.) Blend in the vinegar.
• Rub this mixture well into pork, getting it into every nook and cranny. Put pork in a roasting pan and film bottom with water. Roast pork for several hours (a 4-pound shoulder may be done in 3 hours), turning every hour or so and adding more water as necessary, until meat is very tender. Finish roasting with the skin side up until crisp, raising heat at end of cooking if necessary.
• Let meat rest for 10 to 15 minutes before cutting it up; meat should be so tender that cutting it into uniform slices is almost impossible; rather, whack it up into chunks. Serve with lime.

MARK BITTMAN'S CRUNCHY CURRIED FISH

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200°F.
• Place oven proof platter in it.
• Toss fish with vinegar.
• Combine salt, pepper, turmeric, curry powder and cayenne pepper in small bowl, then rub mixture onto both sides of each fillet.
• Pour at least 1/8" oil inot large nonstick skillet.
• Turn heat to medium high.
• Combine flour with enough warm waterto make a batter about as thick as yogurt.
• Test oil to see if it's hot enough (a piece of flour will sizzle in it).
• Turn heat to high.
• Dunk fillets into batter one at a time, letting excess batter run off, then place fish in pan.
• Do not overcrowd.
• Fry fish, rotating as necessary so filets brown evenly.
• Remove fish when golden and crisp on each side for 5 to 15 minutes.
• Keep warm on platter in oven while you cook remaining fillets.
• Sprinkle cilantro over fish.
• Serve with lime wedges.