Grilled Pork Loin Skewers Cuban Style Recipes

EASY PORK SKEWERS (GRILLED, OVEN OR GRIDDLE)

Steps:

• PREPARE THE PORK SKEWERS1. Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes. 2. Make a marinade by mixing the marinade ingredients. In a non-reactive container or freezer bag combine the cubed pork with the marinade. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to overnight. Bring to room temperature before cooking. 3. Cut the onion into thick chunks similar in size to the size of the pork cubes. Thread the skewers** by alternating onions and pork. GRILLED PORK SKEWERS1. Heat your gas grill to medium-hot and lightly brush with oil before you place the skewers on. For charcoal grill wait until the coals turn white. Alternatively heat up a lightly greased grill pan or a griddle over medium-high heat. 2. Place the skewers onto the hot surface. Grill on all sides until the pork cubes are tender and nicely charred. Be patient before you lift them to turn them for the very first time - initially the meat is likely to stick to the surface and will gradually release as it begins to char. OVEN BAKED PORK SKEWERS1. Preheat your oven to 375 - 400 F depending on how strong you know it to be. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the skewers on top about 1 inch apart. 2. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the pork is tender, turning once or twice. Turn on the broiler and broil the skewers for the last couple of minutes for a nicely browned finish. Turn frequently to make sure the surface doesn't burn. Serve the skewers garnished with fresh herbs and charred lemon - a little citrusy squeeze really brightens up the flavors of the pork skewers. Remind everyone to handle them with caution - the ends will be hot!

GRILLED PORK SHISH KABOBS

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl (or ziploc bag), combine chopped pork, 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp black pepper and stir until well combined. Separate onion pieces and add them to the bowl. Add 2 Tbsp olive oil and toss to combine. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and preferably overnight.
• Thread the kabobs onto metal skewers*, alternating between meat and onion. For even browning, the meat and onions should be just touching on the skewers and not crowded together. Let your skewers stay at room temperature for 30 minutes before placing on the grill.
• Preheat your grill to Medium/high heat (400˚F). Add skewers in a single layer and grill for 8-10 minutes total. Meat skewers turn like a triangle so we cook about 3 minutes per side on all 3 sides. Grill until cooked through and meat reaches at least 145˚F internal temperature. Rest skewers 3 minutes before serving.

CUBAN PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• Using thin knife, trim silver skin from tenderloin. Mix orange juice, grapefruit juice, cilantro, cumin, oregano, garlic, salt, and hot pepper in gallon-sized zip-top plastic bag. Add pork, close, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours. Meanwhile, make Rice and Black Bean Salad.
• Prepare outdoor grill for direct medium-hot grilling. For a gas grill, preheat grill on high. Adjust temperature to 400°F. For a charcoal grill, build fire and let burn until coals are covered with white ash. Spread coals and let burn for 15-20 minutes.
• Lightly oil cooking grate. Remove pork from marinade, drain briefly, but do not scrape off solids. Place on grill and cover grill. Cook, turning occasionally, until browned and instant-read thermometer inserted in center of pork reads 145°F, about 20-27 minutes. Transfer to carving board and let stand 3-5 minutes. Cut on slight diagonal and serve with rice and black bean salad.
• Rice and Black Bean Salad:
• To make salad, bring a medium saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil. Add rice and cook (like pasta) until tender, about 16 minutes. Drain in wire sieve, rinse under cold water, and let cool.
• In medium bowl, whisk orange zest and 2 tablespoons orange juice, 1 tablespoon vinegar, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Whisk in oil. Add cooled rice, black beans, scallions and cilantro, and mix. Let stand at room temperature for up to 4 hours. (If refrigerated, let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving, or rice will be hard.)

CUBAN GRILLED PORK (LECHON ASADO)

Steps:

• Prepare the marinade
• Mix all marinade ingredients in a bowl and let sit for 10 minutes.
• Marinate the pork
• If using a flavor injector (see cooking notes), strain half the marinade into a bowl, adding the strained-out garlic to the other half of the marinade. Use the injector to take in some strained marinade, pierce the pork with the tip of the needle, and inject it into the flesh. Do this all over the meat until the strained marinade has been used up.
• If you are not using a flavor injector, use a long, thin knife to create deep gashes all over the flesh and pour the marinade over the pork.
• Place the marinated pork in a deep bowl or container. Generously season the outside of the pork with salt and pour the remaining marinade all over it, spreading the onion rings all over the top.
• Cover well with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
• Boil the marinade for basting
• Remove the pork from the marinade and place it on a platter. Transfer the marinade to a saucepan, add the onions, and bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Place the boiled marinade and onions in a blender and puree until smooth. The marinade is now ready to use as a basting liquid.
• Grill the pork
• Before heating your grill, remove the pork from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature.
• Heat your grill to 550°F and close the lid. Wait at least 15 minutes before lowering the temperature to 300°F. Oil the grill grates with a vegetable oil-soaked paper towel held with a long pair of tongs.
• If your cut has the skin still attached, begin the cooking process with the skin side up (away from the direct heat).
• Grill your meat about 2 1/2 hours total. Turn the meat over once when you are one quarter through with the cooking time, again when you are halfway through, and once more when three-quarters of the cooking time has elapsed. The pork is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 150°F on the grill (it will continue to cook when it's off the heat, raising the internal temperature to the desired 160°F).

GRILLED PORK LOIN SKEWERS - CUBAN STYLE

Steps:

• Combine garlic, 3 tbsp. cilantro, parsley, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper and sour orange juice. and regular orange juice. Mix well.
• Add the pork cubes and toss to coat. Allow pork to marinate at least 4 hours - toss the pork several times.
• Drain and thread the pork cubs onto skewers. Brush with oil.
• Grill the pork until browned and cooked through - turning several times while grilling. Grill onion slices or serve raw - over the pork. Garnish the pork with lime wedges and the remaining chopped cilantro. Squeeze lime over the pork when serving.

GRILLED PORK AND PINEAPPLE KABOBS

Steps:

• Combine pork, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, lime juice, Sriracha, ginger, and garlic in a large resealable bag. Seal and shake up to combine well. Refrigerate for 1 hour, turning occasionally.
• While the pork is marinating, soak skewers in water for about 20 minutes prior to using them. That will help the skewers to not burn up when exposed to the flame.
• Preheat an outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium-high heat and lightly grease the grates with a small amount of vegetable oil.
• Thread the skewers with marinated pork, pineapple, and red pepper, alternating back and forth; discard the marinade.
• Cook skewers on the preheated grill until they obtain grill marks and the pork is no longer pink, about 2 minutes per side. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

GRILLED PORK SKEWERS WITH CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, cilantro, garlic, sugar, and black pepper in a bowl.
• Skewer 2 pieces of pork onto 2 skewers so that the meat lies flat. Place the pork skewers in a large baking dish. Pour the marinade over and turn to coat the pork. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.
• Heat grill to high. Remove the skewers from the marinade and grill the meat on both sides until slightly charred and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Serve with Chili Sauce on the side for dipping.
• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and let sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour before serving.

GRILLED PORK LOIN ROAST

Steps:

• Sprinkle roast with pepper. Grill, covered, over indirect medium heat for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until a thermometer reads 160°. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing., In a large saucepan, combine the brown sugar, cornstarch and spices. Stir in the pineapple juice, sweet-and-sour sauce, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with the roast. Garnish the platter with apple and orange wedges, sage and rose geranium leaves if desired.