Cochinita Pibil - Quick Pressure Cooker Method

Cochinita Pibil, or Roasted Suckling Pig, is a popular cuisine found in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. The pork is frequently marinated for 24 hours and then roasted in the oven, wrapped in plantain leaves. This recipe is a quick method, using a pressure cooker. Ingredients:

• 2 pounds/1 kilo pork sirloin
• 1 cup Orange juice*
• 1/2 cup Lemon juice*
• 3 tablespoons of Achiote paste
• 1/4 teaspoon Cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground Black Pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried Oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon Thyme
• 3 cloves of Garlic, minced
• 1 dried Chipotle Morita pepper, sliced in half & minced (with or without seeds, depending on how hot you want it)
• 2 Bay Leaves
• 2 tablespoons of Olive oil

(* In Costa Rica, I use 1.5 cups of Naranja Agria juice in place of the Orange and Lemon juices.) Directions:

• Dissolve the Achiote paste over low heat. Remove from heat, add the lemon and orange juice and all of the other spices (except for the Bay Leaves) and mix until well blended.
• Slice the pork across the grain in about 1 inch thick and place it in a large bowl
• Pour the juice mixture over the pork, add the Bay Leaves, cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator to marinate for 2-3 hours.
• Coat the bottom of a pressure cooker with the olive oil, arrange the pork in the pot evenly and pour all of the marinade over the meat.
• Seal the pressure cooker and cook at high heat until the pressure valve start to whistle. Set the temperature to low and cook for 45 minutes.
• Turn off the heat, allow the steam to escape and open the pot.
• The pork will be fork tender. Gently remove it from the pot and place it on a serving platter.
• Remove the Bay Leaves and any remaining pieces of the Chipotle pepper from the pot.
• Continue to cook the sauce over medium low heat until it is reduced to a rich gravy.

Serve the pork with the gravy on the side. This dish goes well with a mango salsa and rice. It is also delicious served in corn tortillas or taco shells.