Achiote recado pork

“These spice-rubbed pork chops are loaded with Mexican flavours ”

Ingredients

• 6 higher-welfare pork chops
• Achiote recado
• 2 tablespoons annatto seeds
• 1 onion
• 4 cloves of garlic , unpeeled
• 1 tablespoon ground allspice
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon saffron threads
• 2 tablespoons ancho chilli powder , or other Mexican chilli powder
• 2 limes
• 200 ml orange juice
• 50 ml cider vinegar
• Chilli-fried onion rings
• 6 tablespoons flour
• 6 tablespoons chilli powder , or paprika
• vegetable oil , for deep frying
• 2 large onions

Method

1. Place the annatto seeds in a small saucepan, cover with a small cupful of cold water, bring to the boil, then simmer over a low heat for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow the seeds to steep for a few hours, then drain them in a colander, reserving the liquid.
2. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6. Peel the onion, cut into 8 wedges and place in a small roasting tin with the garlic. Roast for 45 minutes or until soft. Transfer to a plate, allow to cool, then remove the garlic skins. Roughly chop the garlic and onion on a wooden board.
3. Place the garlic and onion mixture in a food processor with the drained annatto, allspice, coriander seeds, cinnamon, cumin seeds, oregano, saffron, chilli powder and 1 tablespoon of sea salt, and blend to a rough paste.
4. Squeeze in the lime juice and add the orange juice, cider vinegar and about 4 tablespoons of the reserved annatto liquid, then blend briefly again to combine. Transfer the mixture to a large nonreactive bowl.
5. Place the pork chops in the marinade, cover with clingfilm and marinate for 3 to 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
6. Remove the pork chops from the fridge and bring to room temperature. Preheat a barbecue or cast-iron griddle pan to a medium heat. Cook the pork chops, turning once, for 6 to 10 minutes on each side depending on thickness, occasionally brushing on some more marinade during cooking. When done, move the pork chops to a board and leave them to rest for a couple of minutes.
7. For the onion rings, place the flour and chilli powder in a large bowl, season well and mix to combine.
8. Thinly slice the onions on a mandolin (use the guard). Very carefully heat the oil in a large saucepan to 180°C (always be alert when deep-frying). Place the onion slices, in batches, in the flour and coat well. Shake off the excess flour and carefully lower the onion slices into the oil. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, in batches, until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon, then drain on kitchen paper and keep them warm while you cook the remaining onions.
9. Transfer the onion rings to a bowl and serve with the pork chops, whole or cut up.

Source: Jamie Oliver