Tacos de Castacán Con Queso (Yucatecan Pork Belly and Cheese Tacos)
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Prep Time
-
Cook Time
-
Total Time
7h
This flavorful Yucatecan dish features succulent pork belly crisped to perfection, served alongside shredded cheese on warm corn tortillas. Marinated in garlic, cloves, and orange, then fried in lard or oil, these tacos boast a perfect balance of juicy pork and melty cheese, finished with tangy habanero salsa and zesty lime.
Recipe Options
Ingredients
Servings:
6
Scale:
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0.25
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0.5
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6
For The Castacán
To Finish And Serve
Steps
1
For the Castacán: Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). Season pork with salt and pepper on both sides. Place in a cast iron skillet or baking dish not much larger than it. Pour melted lard or vegetable oil on top. Stick 1 clove and 1 cinnamon shard into each orange segment. Nestle oranges and garlic around pork. Cover with foil and place in oven. Cook until pork shows almost no resistance when poked with a knife, about 5 hours. Allow to cool completely at room temperature. Discard garlic and oranges. Drain fat and reserve for another use. Proceed to step 2, or wrap pork in foil and refrigerate for up to 5 days before proceeding as directed.
2
Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Place the cooked pork belly skin side up on a rimmed baking sheet lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Roast until skin is bubbly and crisp, 12 to 20 minutes, folding up foil to shield sides if they threaten to burn.
3
Transfer crisp pork to a cutting board and cut into 1/2-inch lardons.
4
To Finish and Serve: Heat a griddle or a large cast iron pan over medium heat until hot. Add small piles (about 2 tablespoons each) of chopped pork. Season with a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring and flipping each pile, until brown and crisp on most sides, about 1 minute. Add a small pinch of shredded cheese to each pile, allow it to melt (about 30 seconds), then carefully flip, scraping up browned cheese from bottom of pan. Cook until second side is browned and crisp, about 1 minute. Transfer each pile to a warmed corn tortilla and serve immediately with Yucatán-style habanero salsa or other salsa, lime wedges, and chopped cilantro.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition facts are based on 1 serving. If servings is not specified, 6 is assumed for the total
recipe.
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Calories830kcal
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Fat67g
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Saturated Fat22g
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Carbohydrates6g
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Fiber1g
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Sugar0g
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Protein48g
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Cholesterol178mg
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Sodium552mg
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.