Achiote Paste Recipes

Steps:

• Combine the annatto seeds, cumin seeds, oregano, allspice berries, and salt in a spice mill or coffee grinder. Grind to a powder-like consistency. In a small bowl, mix the powder with the garlic and lime juice. Store in an airtight container, in the refrigerator.
• Use for Cochinita Pibil or any grilled seafood.

Steps:

• Put all ingredients into a spice grinder, and grind until you have a fine powder.
• Take the powder and put it into a bowl and add teaspoons of water at a time until you get a thick paste which binds together, in a putty like consistency.
• Separate into Tablespoon size portions and freeze individually.
• When you want to use it, mix the TB size portion with 10 cloves of garlic crushed, and 4 TB Seville orange juice and marinade pork or chicken overnight.
• Some might say to add tequila, but that is an Americanization of this Yucatecan specialty.
• *NOTE* You can find them at most Mexican grocers, and maybe even at your Lucky's or Safeway.
• Annato seeds are very, very hard, and are difficult to grind with a mortar and pestle, use the grinder or it won't make a paste.
• They DO, and WILL stain your grinder, and anything you happen to spill it on, be careful.
• You can double, or multiply this recipe as you wish, and I usually make enough for a year's worth.
• About 4x this recipe.
• It freezes very well, and will last the year in the freezer no problem.

Steps:

• With a spice grinder, grind the annatto seeds, cumin seeds, peppercorns, allspice berries, and cloves to a fine powder.
• In a blender or food processor, mix the ground spices, habanero peppers, orange juice, vinegar, garlic, and salt. Blend until smooth. Mix in the lemon juice and tequila.

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, over medium-low heat melt the butter. Cook the onions until soft and translucent, 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in the garlic and tomato and Achiote paste and cook an additional 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the chicken stock, salt and black pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring and skimming frequently, 12 to 15 minutes. Add the vinegar and cook at end for 2 to 3 minutes. Puree in a blender or food processor. Store in refrigerator 2 to 3 days.

Steps:

• Cut the chicken into 1/2-inch-wide strips. In a large bowl, mix together the orange juice, oregano, garlic, chile, achiote paste, salt, pepper, allspice, and olive oil to make the marinade. Add the chicken strips to the mixture and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
• To cook the chicken, remove the strips from the marinade and drain off any excess liquid. In a large, heavy skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the chicken strips, turning once or twice, until thoroughly cooked (cut one to test), about 9 minutes total.
• Remove from the heat, squeeze fresh lime juice over the strips, and serve immediately or keep warm in the pan until ready to serve.
• To serve, lay the tortillas side by side, open face and overlapping on a platter. Divide the filling equally between the tortillas and top with salsa and pickled onions. Grab, fold, and eat right away. Or build your own taco: lay a tortilla, open face, in one hand. Spoon on some filling, top with salsa and pickled onions, fold, and eat right away.

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together until smooth.

Steps:

• In a small saucepan bring water and achiote seeds to a boil. Cook seeds, covered, at a bare simmer 30 minutes and remove from heat. (Steep seeds 2 hours, or until softened.)
• Heat a dry comal or flat iron griddle over moderately low heat until hot and pan-roast garlic and onion, turning them occasionally to ensure even roasting, until browned and soft throughout, 25 to 30 minutes. Discard garlic skins.
• In a small heavy skillet dry-roast oregano over moderate heat, shaking skillet occasionally, until fragrant and beginning to brown, about 2 minutes and transfer to a small bowl. Cool oregano completely and in an electric coffee/spice grinder grind fine.
• Drain seeds and in a blender or food processor blend with garlic, onion, oregano, and remaining ingredients until smooth. (Recado may be made 5 days ahead and chilled and covered.)