Season 12 - Dinner / S12D05
Crispy Pernil Bao Buns with Cilantro Slaw
Story
In the heart of the kitchen, Don Luis was seasoning a slow-roasted pernil when his curious grandson peeked over the counter and asked, *“Abuelo… what if we put this in a cloud?”* ☁️ Don Luis chuckled and said, *“A cloud? You mean a bao bun?”* The idea sparked a creative storm! With crispy, golden shreds of pork and a zesty cilantro slaw, the fusion was born. A soft, pillowy bao hugging juicy Puerto Rican pernil—tradition meets trend in the tastiest way. 🌿🔥 Don Luis wiped his hands on his signature jean-and-leather apron, smiled warmly, and said, “*In this kitchen, we honor the past but cook with the future in mind.*” And just like that, the Crispy Pernil Bao Bun became a house favorite. 💫 Time + Nutrition + Cost
Ingredients
- For the Crispy Pernil:
- 2 lbs pork shoulder (pernil style) 🐖
- 4 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
- 1 tbsp oregano 🌿
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 packet of Sazón with achiote
- Salt & pepper to taste 🧂
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lime 🍋
- For the Bao Buns:
- 6 store-bought bao buns or homemade (steamed) ☁️
- Sesame oil (for brushing)
- For the Cilantro Slaw:
- 1 cup shredded cabbage (mix of purple and green) 🥬
- 0.5 cup shredded carrots 🥕
- 0.25 cup chopped fresh cilantro 🌿
- 2 tbsp lime juice 🍋
- 1 tbsp honey 🍯
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- 1Marinate the pernil:
- 2Combine garlic, oregano, cumin, sazon, salt, pepper, olive oil, and lime juice. Rub it all over the pork. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour (overnight if possible).
- 3Roast the pernil:
- 4Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Cover the pork and roast for 2.5 hours until fork-tender. Let cool slightly, then shred.
- 5Crisp it up!
- 6Heat a pan over medium-high heat with a little oil. Add shredded pork and crisp up the edges until golden brown and crunchy. 🔥
- 7Make the slaw:
- 8Mix cabbage, carrots, cilantro, lime juice, honey, mayo/yogurt, and a pinch of salt. Toss until everything is coated and flavorful. Chill in fridge.
- 9Steam the bao buns:
- 10Steam the buns according to package instructions until soft and fluffy.
- 11Assemble:
- 12Open each bao and add a generous spoonful of crispy pernil. Top with a scoop of cilantro slaw. Optional: drizzle with spicy mayo or a few pickled jalapeños. 🌶️
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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