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Film Released: 2003

Genre:   Action, Crime, Thriller  

Film Directed by:   Robert Rodriguez

Cast/Actors include:   S Antonio Banderas,  Salma Hayek,  Johnny Depp,  Mickey Rourke, Eva Mendes

El Mariachi played by Antonio Banderas is enlisted by  corrupt CIA Agent  Sands played by Johnny Depp to track down and kill a military general (Marquez) who is being hired by a Mexican drug lord played by Willem Dafoe to assassinate the President of Mexico.  Unfortunately,  Marquez  had murdered  Mariachi's  wife and child, so his assignment takes on even more meaning as he contemplates his revenge.

The food aspect comes in the form of a dish called Puerco Pibil.  Johnny Depp's slightly psychotic character is interested in keeping the balance in Mexico. He orders this dish it again and again searching for perfect versions. However, when he finds it, he has to kill the chef. In the film he explains:

 "It is a slow-roasted pork. Nothing fancy, just happens to be my favourite, and I order it at every dive I go to in this country, and honestly, this is the best it's ever been.  . . .  It is so good that when I'm finished with it, I'll pay my check, walk straight into the kitchen and shoot the cook. Because that's what I do. I restore the balance to this country."

And he does!

Below is a recipe sent to us by one of our subscribers. We hope you enjoy it, but would ask that if you do, you don't attempt to shoot our subscriber or us!

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Puerco Pibil   Submitted by Judith Rich, Winchester, UK

Serves 4  - Preparation and cooking time - 4 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients
2½ tbsp Annatto Seeds
1 teasp Cumin Seeds
2 teasp Black Peppercorns
4 Allspice Berries
½ teasp Cloves
1 Habañero Chilli Pepper, deseeded and chopped
120ml/4fl.oz. Orange Juice
90ml/3fl.oz. White Vinegar
Salt
4 Garlic Cloves
The juice of 3 Lemons
A splash of the finest Tequila
1.2kg/2½ lb Lean Pork (from the leg)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 170C, 325F, Gas Mark 3. Place the annatto, cumin, peppercorns, allspice and cloves in a  grinder or use a mortar and pestle,  and grind to a fine powder.

2. Transfer the ground spices to a blender or food processor together with  the chilli pepper, orange juice, vinegar, salt and garlic and blend until smooth.

3. Add lemon juice and tequila and blend again briefly.

4. Cut pork into 5cm/2-inch cubes and place in large mixing bowl together with the sauce. Mix well with your hands until the meat is well coated.

5. Line roasting pan with  aluminium foil, add entire contents of  the mixing bowl then cover very tightly with more foil. Traditionally, banana leaves are used to line the roasting tin and more placed over the meat, but always put extra foil on the top and make sure it is sealed well otherwise it will burn.  Roast  for 4 hours.

Serve hot with white rice - DON'T  Kill the chef.