Reviewed: Feb. 10, 2007

I am only rating this so that no one else will make the mistake that I made. I am sure the author of the recipe meant well, but the advice about cooking at "200 degrees for four or five hours" does not work!!! The meat was not cooked; I had to throw it in the crock pot to finish it off. The marinade and sauce are delicious, but please do not cook it at 200 degrees; cook it at 325 degrees as the original idea states!!!!

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61 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Chynna-Destiny

Cooking Level: Professional

Home Town: Jackson, Georgia, USA

Reviewed: May 22, 2003

At first I was a little intimidated by the number of ingredients but this recipe turned out to be easier than it looked. This dish was great but I used an achiote oil made by heating, not boiling, the achiote seeds in sunflower oil on the stove for ten minutes. This gives a great red colored oil and is easier to use than the paste. The rest of the recipe remained the same. This oil can also be used for the rice, just put a teaspoon in with the water! I Will certainly make this again!

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48 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

KATHARINAMST

Reviewed: May 8, 2003

A bit different than other versions of this dish I have eaten, but really tasty nonetheless. It is perhaps a bit on the tart side, and I may consider altering the lemon-orange juice ratio a bit the next time I make it. I used the slow cooker method and the meat was moist and tender. I thickened the roasting liquids (marinade) with a bit of cornstarch and water and this made a really delicious sauce to ladle on top of filled tortillas at the option of the diners. I will definately be making this again. It was a hit with my entire family, including my kids!

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37 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Pat

Reviewed: Sep. 1, 2006

After a frustrating search around town for Achiote paste, I did a computer search and it led me right back to this web-site for a recipe to make your own! This was delicious! My kids loved it without the onion sauce. My husband and I preferred it with it. We both kept going back for just one more bite.... I served it in tortillas with homemade guacamole, but after one yummy wrap, we just ate it plain. Thanks for a very different and wonderful recipe! I will make this again and again -- a new family favorite!

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23 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

S. N.

Reviewed: Sep. 10, 2007

I was most disappointed with this recipe. Instead of the succulent and savory dish I know from Mexico, I got a bland, but tender pork roast. The use of so much lemon juice gave the gravy an overpowering and identifiable citric taste, while leaving out essential elements. Further research on the recipe has led me to include allspice and cinnamon and some garlic. I see this recipe as absolutely unauthentic and boring.

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21 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

randyontheglobe

Reviewed: Jan. 29, 2003

FANTASTIC- Already planning it for when company comes over.

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15 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

MORTENSEN

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Windsor, Colorado, USA

Reviewed: Jan. 20, 2003

This is to die for!!!!:-)

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11 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

MORTHANA

Reviewed: Feb. 26, 2004

"Nothing Special. Just happens to be my favorite." Needs tequila in the sauce!

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8 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

damitWS6

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Mission Viejo, California, USA

Living In: Diamond Bar, California, USA

Reviewed: Dec. 30, 2009

Delicious and tasty. Made it in the slow cooker. Required a bit of sugar and a fair bit of salt to even out the strong citrus and achiote tang.

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7 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Merrittorious

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Seattle, Washington, USA

Living In: Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA

Reviewed: Dec. 13, 2006

It wasn't as flavorful as I'd hoped, but it's probably my own fault because 1. I substituted jalapenos for habaneros, fearing it would be too hot, 2. I forgot to marinate it, 3. I chose not to make and use the achiote, but instead put in the equivalent amount of loose spices (omitting the anatto because I didn't want to have to grind it). It *was* very tasty in quesadillas, but as I say was just a bit too bland, even for my cooking group (which has a lot of families with preschoolers in it).

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7 users found this review helpful