From Yahir Gonzalez Head Chef of contemporary Mexican restaurant, Zapote in Shoreditch.
Contemporary Mexican restaurant, Zapote, offers this Secreto Al Pastor Skewers recipe which is easy to recreate at home for National BBQ Week this June (2nd -9th June 2024)
Born in the city of Aguascalientes in North-Central Mexico, Yahir Gonzalez worked in a local French restaurant from the age of 15, where he developed a passion for cooking.
He moved to Spain to study at the Centre Superior Hosteleria de Galicia, and after graduating stayed in Spain, working at acclaimed restaurants including A Rexidora and Pepe Solla.
In 2010 he relocated to London to be executive chef of Aqua Restaurant Group’s new Spanish restaurant Aqua Nueva. Yahir remained in this role until 2022, garnering positive reviews for the restaurant’s innovative and visually stunning food.
He maintains close ties with Mexico; his wife’s family runs a ranch there which specialises in dairy, corn and cattle and supports the local community. Its branding-mark is in the shape of a zapote and has been used for the restaurant’s logo.
Secreto Al Pastor skewers Zapote Restaurant
Ingredients:
2 pounds Iberico pork secreto
guacamole
corn tortillas
For the pastor marinate:
3 cloves garlic
50g guajillo chilli paste or chipotle
½ cup orange juice
1 banana roasted
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon achiote paste
1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
salt and ground black pepper, to season
100g olive oil
Method:
- Start by making the pastor marinate by mixing all the ingredients in a food
processor until smooth, chill in the fridge until needed - Cut the Iberico pork into approximately 2cm cubes and add the marinate Ideally
leave in the fridge overnight or at least couple hours before cooking - When the charcoal is ready, make the meat in to skewers and put on the grill
- For best result cook until medium then season with salt
- Serve with guacamole on the side and corn tortillas