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Tacos Al "Pear-stor" with Grilled Pears and Pear Tomatillo Salsa

The 2024 1st Place winner of the Pacific Northwest Canned Pears' CAN DO Challenge, this innovative dish was created by Chef Ross Katz of Junior Chefs Academy in Indianapolis. A spicy marinade uses the juice from canned Bartlett pears that adds flavor to spicy pork and diced pears are folded into the pear-infused salsa verde, all inside corn tortillas. Stay tuned for recipes from the other winners coming soon!

Photo courtesy of Pacific Northwest Canned Pears
Servings
8
Cuisine Type
  • mexican
  • american
Day Part
  • Dinner
  • Lunch
  • Late Night
Menu Part
  • Entree
Main Ingredient
  • Pears
  • Pork

A fun new pear-centric recipe, these tacos won the 2024 Pacific Northwest Canned Pears' CAN DO Challenge.

Ingredients

2 pounds pork shoulder or pork loin, cut into ½ inch steaks
3 garlic cloves
3 dried guajillo chili peppers, stems and seeds removed
1-½ teaspoons achiote (annatto) paste or 1 teaspoon dried achiote powder

½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon kosher salt
½ cup cilantro, roughly chopped
½ teaspoon cumin
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 (15-ounce) can Pacific Northwest Canned Pears, halves, in extra light syrup, drained, juice reserved For pear-tomatillo salsa:

1 (15-ounce) can Pacific Northwest Canned Pears, halves, in extra light syrup, drained, juice reserved

3 fresh tomatillos, husks removed, quartered

3 fresh jalapenos, seeded

½ cup chopped white onion

3 cloves fresh garlic, chopped
½ cup cilantro, roughly chopped
Juice from 1 lime, about 2 tablespoons
½ tablespoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
For tacos:

16 6-inch corn tortillas

1 cup (4 oz.) queso fresco, crumbled, for garnish

Fresh cilantro sprigs, for garnish


Steps

  1. For pork: In a blender, add the reserved pear juice, garlic, dried guajillo chilies, achiote paste, black pepper, salt, cilantro, cumin, and cider vinegar.

2. Blend until smooth. Pour the marinade over the pork and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or ideally overnight.

3. Grill the marinated pork steaks, 5 to 6 minutes per side, until the pork reaches at least 145° F. Chop into bite sized pieces and set aside.

4. Place pear halves on the grill and cook until they show slight grill marks. Dice and toss with grilled pork.

5. For salsa: In a saucepan, add the reserve pear juice and bring to a low simmer. Add the prepped tomatillos, jalapenos, onion, garlic, and half of the pear halves. Simmer until the veggies are soft and the juice reduces by half, about 5 minutes. Cool slightly and pour the mixture into a blender with the cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper.

6.
Pulse until mixture is a chunky salsa consistency. Transfer to a bowl.

7. Dice the remaining pear halves and fold them into the salsa. Refrigerate for 1 hour or ideally overnight.

8. To assemble:
Heat corn tortillas (2 per serving), over medium-high heat, in a lightly oiled pan, 15 to 30 seconds on each side. 9.
Place about ¼ cup each of the pork and Pear Tomatillo Salsa (or divide evenly) on warm tortillas. Garnish each with 1 tablespoon queso fresco and cilantro sprigs.

Read more about:

Recipes
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