Moorish Pork Skewers | Pinchos Morunos

These pork skewers with Moorish spices are an extremely popular tapa, although you could make them with any other meat. Mojo picón is a pepper sauce from the Canary Islands and is a fantastic accompaniment to meat, fish or potatoes. Picón means spicy, and you’ll see why…

Serves 4. Prep time: 10 min. Cook time: 5 min. Total time: 15 min

INGREDIENTS

• 500 g pork fillet (you can also use chicken, beef or lamb, see Note)

• 1 tsp hot or sweet pimentón

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves

• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped

• Drizzle of olive oil

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the mojo picon (you will need a food processor):

• 1 slice white bread

• 4-5 tbsp Spanish olive oil, plus extra for frying

• 2 garlic cloves

• 5 dried cayenne chillies

• 1 tsp cumin seeds

• 1 tsp sweet pimentón

• 2 tsp sherry vinegar

• Salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Trim the pork fillet of any excess fat and then cut into 2cm cubes. Place the meat in a large mixing bowl and add the pimentón, cumin, some black pepper, oregano, thyme and garlic. Mix well, drizzle over the olive oil and leave to marinate for at least an hour, but anything up to 2 days is fine.

2. Meanwhile, make the mojo picón. Start by frying the bread in a little olive oil, drain on kitchen paper and tear into pieces. Using a pestle and mortar, mash together the garlic, cayenne chillies, cumin seeds, pimentón, fried bread, vinegar and salt until you have a smooth paste. You could also use a food processor for this bit. Start adding the olive oil in a thin drizzle while you are still mixing.

3. When you are ready to cook the pinchos, thread the meat on to skewers (if you are using wooden skewers it’s a good idea to soak them in water for 30 minutes to stop them burning). Pinchos morunos can be cooked over charcoal (the best way, in my opinion), under a hot grill or in a griddle pan over a very high heat. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side – you want them to be cooked through but still juicy on the inside. Season with salt and pepper and serve with the mojo picón.

Note: if you want to make these with chicken, use the thigh. If you are using beef use the skirt of flank and if you want to make lamb skewers use the leg.