Puerco Pibil #SundaySupper #MovieInspiredRecipes

After watching the Johnny Depp movie Once Upon a Time in Mexico, my son became obsessed with Puerco Pibil. Puerco Pibil was the favorite dish of Sands, Johnny Depp’s character, so much so that he murders any cook who makes it too well.

After watching the movie a number of times and my son asking and asking for me to create this dish for him, I realized that on on the DVD the director, Robert Rodriguez, provides a recipe and video instruction on how to cook the dish. It’s located in the bonus features.

First time I made this, couldn’t find the banana leaves, used the wrong cut of pork, was so spicy that there were scorched throats all around the table … but it is requested again and again, and I have changed it a bit to suit the folks eating – unless of course you have a table of fire breathing dragons and then the original would suit you just fine!

• 5 pounds pork butt, cut into 2 inch cubes
• 5 T annato seeds
• 2 t cumin seeds
• 1 T whole black pepper
• 1/2 t whole cloves
• 8 whole allspice berries
• 2 habanero Peppers, fresh or dried, cleaned and minced (optional)
• 1/2 C orange juice
• 1/2 C white vinegar
• 8 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 5 lemons
• 1 shot of tequila
• banana leaves (optional)

Blend the cleaned and chopped habanero peppers with the orange juice, vinegar, garlic and salt.

Mix the dry spices with the liquid.

Add the juice of 5 lemons and a nice splash of tequila.

Place the cubed pork butt in a large zip lock bag and add the marinade. Soak 4-6 hours, in refrigerator, turning several times.

Line (8×13) baking pan with banana leaves. Pour in pork along with the marinade. Cover with Banana leaves and seal the pan with foil. Bake in a 325 F degree oven for 4 hours.

Grind the annato seeds, cumin seeds, whole peppercorns, whole cloves, and whole allspice in a spice or coffee grinder, or use a mortar and pestle.

NOTE: I have a coffee grinder that’s dedicated to grinding spices. I use rice or bread to clean it out in between uses so there’s very little residue to flavor whatever you may grind next.

Blend the cleaned and chopped habanero peppers with the orange juice, vinegar, garlic and salt.

NOTE: I used one habanero and one jalapeno. It was still spicy, but much tamer than the first time.

Add the dry spices to the liquid and add the juice of 5 lemons and a nice splash of tequila.

Place the cubed pork butt in a large zip lock bag and add the marinade. Let it sit for 4-6 hours, in refrigerator, turning several times.

Line (8×13) baking pan with banana leaves. Pour in pork along with the marinade. Cover with Banana leaves and seal the pan with foil. Bake in a 325 F degree oven for 4 hours.

NOTE: I was lucky enough to find banana leaves in one of the supermarkets near me. If you can’t find them, line the roasting pan with foil and then parchment paper – OH! or use Martha Wrap, foil and parchment in one (Reynolds Wrap makes it as well)!

Serve over a bed of white or Spanish rice, extra limes, lots of napkins, and beer – plenty of beer!

Enjoy!!!

NOTE: BTW, this was my first participation in the Sunday Supper Movement, hosted this week by Heather over at Girlichef. This week’s theme is inspiration from a favorite food movie scene. I owe a big thanks to my friend Lizzie from That Skinny Chick Can Bake. Thank you for mentoring me through this first foray into the Sunday Supper Movement! There are a lot of great participants in the Sunday Supper Movement, stop by their movie scene inspired dishes and have a look!

NOW SHOWING:

Toast (bready things)

• Scones (inspired by Tea with Mussolini) – Country Girl in the Village
• Croque Monsieur (inspired by It’s Complicated) – That Skinny Chick Can Bake!!!
• “Eat Me” Blueberry Lemon Scones (inspired by Alice in Wonderland) – The Messy Baker
• Dog Bone Breadsticks (inspired by Frankenweenie) – The Urban Mrs.
• Individual Deep Dish Pizzas (inspired by Mystic Pizza) – Momma’s Meals
• Basic Bread Recipe (inspired by Agora) – Masala Herb
• Mystical Double Cheese Pizza (inspired by Mystic Pizza) – Webicurean
• Vanilla Cinnamon Pancakes (inspired by No Reservations) – Pies and Plots

No Reservations (soups and salads)

• 10-Minute Potato Ham Soup with Pesto Swirl (inspired by Julie & Julia) – Shockingly Delicious
• Alaska Smoked Salmon, Celery, and Apple Salad (inspired by Salmon Fishing in the Yemen) – Pescetarian Journal

Today’s Special (fish, chicken, beef, and pork)

• الدار البيضاء Fish Tajine (inspired by Casablanca) – Maroc Mama
• Beef and Onions Braised in Beer (inspired by Julie & Julia) – Magnolia Days
• Spicy Seared Tuna with Balsamic Reduction (inspired by Big Fish) – I Run For Wine
• Slow Cooker Braised Short Ribs (inspired by Brave) – Big Bear’s Wife
• Puerco Pibil (inspired by Once Upon a Time in Mexico) – From the Bookshelf

Forks Over Knives (veggie-heavy dishes and sides)

• Eggplant in Garlic Sauce (inspired by The Joy Luck Club) – Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Beet Chips (inspired by Food Matters) – girlichef
• Ratatouille (inspired by Ratatouille) – Noshing With The Nolands
• Mushroom and Asparagus Mini Quiches (inspired by Sixteen Candles) – Home Cooking Memories
• Veg Samosas (inspired by Monsoon Wedding) – My Cute Bride
• Not So Fried Green Tomatoes (inspired by Fried Green Tomatoes) – Mama.Mommy.Mom
• Roasted Taters with Bacon (inspired by Lord of the Rings) – Curious Cuisiniere
• Goat Cheese Basil Grits (inspired by Fried Green Tomatoes) – Diabetic Foodie

Udon (pasta and noodles)

• Big Night Timpano (inspired by Big Night) – Kimchi Mom
• Better Baked Mac & Cheese (inspired by Soul Food) – What Smells So Good?
• Spaghetti with Meatballs and Gravy (inspired by Lady and the Tramp) – Juanita’s Cocina
• Spicy Sichuan Noodles (inspired by Eat Drink Man Woman) – Food Lust People Love
• Chicken Tchoupitoulas Pasta (inspired by Last Holiday) – Gourmet Drizzles

Just Desserts (sweet treats)

• The Best Chocolate Cake (inspired by Chocolat) – The Foodie Army Wife
• Chocolate Almond Torte with Raspberries (inspired by Chocolat) – Vintage Kitchen
• Iocane-Dusted Brownies of Unusual Size (BOUS’) (inspired by The Princess Bride) – The Cooking Actress
• Minny’s Chocolate Pie (inspired by The Help) – Daily Dish Recipes
• Pao de Lo | Portuguese Bundt Sponge Cake (inspired by My Big Fat Greek Wedding) – Family Foodie
• Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie (inspired by Life of Pi) – No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
• Fantasia Cakes (inspired by Disney’s Fantasia) – NinjaBaking. com
• Chocolate Dipped Almond Coconut Bars (inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) – Kudos Kitchen By Renee
• (Gluten Free) Orange Soda Pound Cake (inspired by Joe Vs The Volcano) – Blueberries and Blessings
• Peach and Berry Cobbler (inspired by Soul Food) – The Lovely Pantry
• Golden Ticket Peanut Butter-Pretzel Truffles (inspired by Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory) – Weekend Gourmet
• French Macarons (inspired by Marie Antoinette) – Happy Baking Days
• Pistachio and Cherry Cannoli Cups (inspired by The Godfather) – Peanut Butter and Peppers

Bottle Shock (beverages)

• Raspberry Cordial (inspired by Anne of Green Gables) – NeighborFood
• Grapefruit Flirtini (inspired by Sex and the City) – Ruffles & Truffles
• Wines To Pair With #SundaySupper Movie-Inspired Recipes (inspired by Sideways) – ENOFYLZ Wine Blog