One of my favourites when in Spain... the spicing is reminiscent with the flavours of North Africa - a throwback to the 800-year Moorish occupation of parts of Andalucia from the 8th to 15th century.
The preparation is very quick, taking only 15 minutes or so, but it is important to marinade the pork for at least 2 hours. Cooking time will vary according to the size you cut your pork. With good quality pork cooked medium, these little sticks of loveliness will be juicy and bursting with flavour, just like the Santhiago Tinto 2020 from Lisboa in Portugal.
Ingredients
Allow 200g pork fillet per person, cut into chunks and slightly flatten with the heel of your hand.
For every 500g pork you will need:
Half a heaped teaspoon of ground coriander seeds
Half a heaped teaspoon of ground cumin seeds
Half a heaped teaspoon of ground fennel seeds
1 teaspoon of sweet smoked paprika
1 teaspoon of dried oregano
2 garlic cloves crushed to a paste with salt
A good pinch of saffron infused in 2 tablespoons of boiling water
1 fresh bay leaf, crumbled
1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Method
Step 1
Mix all marinade ingredients together, add pork and stir until all the meat is coated. Set aside, covered, for at least a couple of hours or up to two days. If cooking within a couple of hours there is no need to refrigerate. If leaving for longer, refrigetrate but allow to come to room temperature before cooking.
Step 2
Thread the pork onto soaked wooden skewers and grill on a hot barbeque for a few minutes, turning regularly. When they are just cooked through, remove from barbeque and allow to rest.
Step 3
Serve with a lemon wedge, a generous glass or two of Santhiago Tinto 2020 and a simple salad of grated carrot, pine nuts, rasins and ground cumin seasoned well with salt, lemon juice and olive oil.
Happy grilling!
The Perfect Wine Match
Real Companhia Velha Santhiago Tinto, Portugal 2020
The Santhiago Tinto is an enchanting blend of Portuguese grapes. Richly fruited with juicy dark berries, a hint of spice and wild herbal notes, giving lift and freshness to the wine. An approachable and easy-drinking style with an elegant structure, firm, well-balanced tannins and defined, refreshing acidity.
Roberto Sarotto Dolcetto d'Alba DOCG, Piedmont, Italy 2021
Aromatic nose of red and black cherry, cranberry and red plum with a violet floral note. Juicy and luscious on the palate with ripe, fine and silky tannins which wrap around a core of further dark black fruits and uplifting acidity that adds another dimension.
Lembranzas Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain 2021
Vibrant nose of pear, peach and apricot. Luscious, creamy and silky palate supported by lively acidity and a touch of salinity of the finish. This is as good as Albarino gets!
