south-of-the-border essentials: achiote paste

Name: South-of-the-Border Essentials: Achiote Paste
Prep time: 10 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: ## PLAN/PURCHASE; ## DRY INGREDIENTS; 1 ounce(s) annatto seeds; 1 tablespoon(s) oregano, mexican, if you have it; 2 teaspoon(s) ancho chili powder; 2 teaspoon(s) coriander seeds; 1 teaspoon(s) cumin seeds; 1 teaspoon(s) black peppercorns; 1 - 2 pinch(es) kosher salt, fine grind, or to taste; ## WET INGREDIENTS; 6 clove(s) baked garlic; 2 medium green olives, pitted; 3 tablespoon(s) orange juice, freshly squeezed; 3 tablespoon(s) lime juice, freshly squeezed; 2 tablespoon(s) white vinegar

14 Pinches 12 Photos

Andy Anderson !

Wichita, KS

Updated on May 1, 2022

Achiote paste is ideal for seasoning a lot of diverse Mexican dishes. Its primary ingredient is ground annatto seeds; combined with spices, such as: fresh garlic, citrus, and other goodies. It is an excellent rub or marinade, and also used to boost of the flavors of soups, stews, and chilis. It is easy/peasy to make, and you control the ingredients. So, you ready… Let’s get into the kitchen.

Rate

prep time 10 Min

cook time

method No-Cook or Other

yield Several

Ingredients

PLAN/PURCHASE
DRY INGREDIENTS
1 ounce annatto seeds
1 tablespoon oregano, mexican, if you have it
2 teaspoons ancho chili powder
2 teaspoons coriander seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 - 2 pinches kosher salt, fine grind, or to taste
WET INGREDIENTS
6 cloves baked garlic
2 medium green olives, pitted
3 tablespoons orange juice, freshly squeezed
3 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
2 tablespoons white vinegar

How To Make south-of-the-border essentials: achiote paste

Step 1

PREP/PREPARE

Step 2

You will need a spice blender, or mortar and pestle to grind the spices. In addition, you will need a food processor, fitted with an S-blade, or small mini-prep blender.
Step 3

What Is Annatto? It is the seed of the achiote tree, which is found in Central & South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. They are used in cooking to both impart deep orange, yellow, and red color, and to give an earthy, peppery, flavor to dishes, with slight notes of citrus and nutmeg. It is used extensively in Mexican cuisine, but can be difficult to find in most grocers. It can be used in marinades, oils, and as a flavor/coloring agent in soups, stews, and taco meat (to name a few).
Step 4

Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
Step 5

Place all the dry ingredients into a spice grinder.
Step 6

Grind all of the ingredients to a powder (grind-baby-grind)
Step 7

Add all of the dry and wet ingredients to a blender, and blend-baby-blend.
Step 8

Place in a proper container in the fridge or freezer until needed.
Step 9

PLATE/PRESENT
Step 10

Use to enhance the flavors of South-of-the-Border dishes, like soups, stews and chilis. Enjoy.
Step 11

Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!

Discover More

Comment & Reviews

Just A Pinch Sweepstakes