Taco Time! Just a few ingredients! Pico! Cookin! The Taco Table is set.

All day was feeling like a Taco Tuesday.  I love Mexican cuisine and I like to be as authentic as I can.  Tonight I made pork tacos with pico de gallo.   Pork shoulder is one of my favorite cuts of meat because of its texture and flavor, and it just goes great with the traditional herbs and spices of Mexican cuisine.  This is a simple recipe that anyone can put together and look like a Mexican Food Master.  Here’s what you need.

For the Pico de Gallo

  • 2 Cups Seeded, Diced Tomatoes
  • 1/4 Cup Diced Scallion
  • 1/4 Cup Diced White Onion
  • 1 Serrano Pepper, Diced
  • 2 Cloves Garlic, Minced
  • 3 Limes, Juiced
  • 1 Tbsp Chopped Fresh Cilantro
  • Salt and Pepper

The Pico is a cinch to put together.  Take all the ingredients listed above, put them in a bowl and mix ‘em up.  I like to let the pico sit for at least an hour to let the lime soak into the rest of the ingredients.  That’s really all there is to it!

For the pork tacos

  • 1 - 2½ lb. Pork Shoulder
  • 3 Tbsp Cayenne Pepper 
  • 1 Tbsp Cumin 
  • Salt and Pepper to Taste
  • 12 White Corn Tortillas
  • 2 Cups Yellow Rice
  • ½ Cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Cut your pork shoulder into thin strips, about ½ inch pieces.  Remember that your teeth are the only tools you’ll be using, so cut the pork into an edible size.  Smart.   Also, cut the fat.  You don’t have to get every little piece of fat, because it does add flavor, but a trimming won’t hurt anything.  Now put all your pork into a large non-reactive bowl and add your salt, pepper, cayenne and cumin.  Massage the spices into the meat with your hands and let it sit for about an hour.  

During this time you can do something productive like starting your rice, making your pico, or cleaning up your work space.  Or you can just watch some TV, it’s up to you.   After your unproductive hour has passed, get a large pan heated up to medium, add some canola oil and get that pork cooking!  Because your pork is cut into small pieces, it should only take 6-7 minutes to be thoroughly cooked.  In the mean time, start to heat up your tortillas in a pan or on a griddle, no oil needed. You want to heat them on low for a few minutes, until they start to curl up on the sides a bit.  

Now everything should be ready!  Set the table up “buffet” style and build yourself a taco!  After you have that guy loaded up, make sure to squeeze a lime over it, it adds flavor that you don’t want to miss out on!  You are now ready to grub, enjoy!