Season 08 - Lunch / S08L27
Spicy Pernil Lettuce Wraps with Pickled Onions
Story
On a breezy afternoon, Don Luis opened his rustic kitchen windows wide, letting the sunlight pour in while salsa music played softly in the background. The aroma of marinated pork filled the air, and with his signature apron on—jeans and leather, stitched with his name—he chuckled remembering his childhood. Every Sunday, his abuela would roast pernil until it was tender enough to fall apart with a spoon. But today, Don Luis had a twist in mind. Instead of serving it on rice, he imagined a lighter, crunchier wrap—something fun for the little ones and satisfying for the grown-ups too. With a handful of pickled onions for zing and fresh lettuce for crunch, he called everyone to the table. One bite in and the kitchen was filled with happy “¡mmmmmm!” sounds—music to any chef’s ears. Time, Calories & Cost
Ingredients
- For the Spicy Pernil:
- 2 lbs pork shoulder (pernil), cut into chunks
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste!)
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- Juice of 2 limes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- For the Pickled Onions:
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 0.5 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 cup water
- For the Wraps:
- 1 head Bibb or butter lettuce, separated & washed
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 0.5 cup shredded carrots
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- 1Marinate the pork: In a large bowl, combine garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, pepper flakes, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add pork and mix well. Cover and marinate for 2 hours (or overnight for deeper flavor).
- 2Cook the pernil: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Place pork in a roasting pan, cover with foil, and roast for 2.5 to 3 hours until fork-tender. Let rest, then shred.
- 3Pickle the onions: In a saucepan, bring vinegar, sugar, salt, and water to a boil. Pour over sliced onions in a bowl. Let sit for 30 minutes.
- 4Assemble the wraps: On each lettuce leaf, add shredded pork, avocado slices, carrots, and pickled onions. Garnish with cilantro and lime juice.
About the narrator
Don Luis · A character for three generations
Don Luis is the brand character and narrator for this catalog: a warm voice for Puerto Rican family recipes tested by the real creator behind the brand. The project carries three generations of flavor and writes each recipe step by step so any kid can follow it.
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