Pernil is a dish popular in Latin American countries and the Caribbean, consisting of pork shoulder roasted with garlic, spices, and citrus juice. It is usually served with rice, beans, and fried plantains, making it a complete meal. The key to a good pernil is achieving the perfect crispy skin. Here is how to do it.
Ingredients for Crispy Pernil
You will need one pork shoulder (about 4-5lbs), 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice, and 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley. You will also need a roasting pan with a wire rack.
Instructions
The first step to achieving crispy skin on your pernil is to prepare the pork shoulder. Rub the pork shoulder with olive oil and season generously with garlic powder, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika. Once the pork is well-seasoned, place it on the wire rack in the roasting pan. Place the pan in the oven preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 90 minutes.
After 90 minutes, remove the pork from the oven and brush it with a mixture of lime juice and freshly chopped parsley. Return the pork to the oven for another 30 minutes. This will give the skin a crispy texture.
Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve the pernil hot with your favorite sides.
Tips for Crispy Skin
To achieve perfectly crispy skin, it is important to season the pork generously with salt and spices before cooking. The salt will draw out the moisture and help to crisp the skin. It is also important to use a wire rack in the roasting pan so that the heat can circulate around the pork and evenly crisp the skin.
Another tip is to brush the pork with a mixture of lime juice and fresh herbs. The acid in the lime juice will help to crisp the skin while the herbs will give the pork a nice flavor. Finally, make sure to cook the pork at a high temperature and let it rest after cooking to ensure that it is perfectly crispy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pernil?
Pernil is a Latin American dish consisting of pork shoulder roasted with garlic, spices, and citrus juice. It is usually served with rice, beans, and fried plantains.
How do I achieve crispy skin when cooking Pernil?
To achieve perfectly crispy skin on your pernil, it is important to season the pork generously with salt and spices before cooking. The salt will draw out the moisture and help to crisp the skin. It is also important to use a wire rack in the roasting pan so that the heat can circulate around the pork and evenly crisp the skin. Finally, brush the pork with a mixture of lime juice and fresh herbs, and cook the pork at a high temperature and let it rest after cooking.
What temperature should I cook Pernil?
The best temperature to cook pernil is 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long should I cook Pernil?
For crispy skin, you will need to cook the pork for 90 minutes, then brush it with a mixture of lime juice and freshly chopped parsley and return it to the oven for another 30 minutes.
What should I serve with Pernil?
Pernil is usually served with rice, beans, and fried plantains, making it a complete meal.
